Synthesis 2006(4): 687-691  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-926306
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© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Quick Access to Optically Pure 2-(1-Hydroxybenzyl)piperidine and Pyrrolidine

José Luis García Ruano*, José Alemán, M. Belén Cid
Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049-Madrid, Spain
Fax: +34(914)973966; e-Mail: joseluis.garcia.ruano@uam.es;
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Publication History

Received 28 July 2005
Publication Date:
19 January 2006 (online)

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Abstract

Optically pure 2-(1-hydroxybenzyl)piperidine and pyrrolidine were prepared by reaction of oxygenated 2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)benzyl carbanions with the appropriate chlorinated N-sulfinylimines followed by subsequent elimination of the sulfinyl groups. The main reaction is a tandem process involving nucleophilic addition of the sulfinylbenzyl carbanion to the C=N bond followed by intramolecular elimination of the chlorine by the resulting amide. The matched pair of the reagents (exhibiting the same configuration at their respective sulfinyl moieties) evolves with a complete control of the stereoselectivity at the two newly created chiral carbons.