An efficient approach to the diastereoselective synthesis of
benzylidene-, benzyl-pyrrolizidinones, and pyrrolizidines is described.
The sequence is based on a highly stereoselective Heck reaction
between a hydroxylated pyrrolizidinone, prepared from a Morita-Baylis-Hillman
adduct, and a suitable aryl halide, using Nájera’s
oxime derived palladacycle as catalyst.
Morita-Baylis-Hillman - Heck reaction - bicyclic compounds - heterocycles - palladium