Enantiodivergent Synthesis of (+)- and (-)-Pyrrolidine 197B: Synthesis of trans-2,5-Disubstituted Pyrrolidines by Intramolecular Hydroamination

Abstract

A highly efficient, diastereoselective, iron(III)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization reaction involving α-substituted amino alkenes is described. Thus, enantiopure trans-2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines and trans-5-substituted proline derivatives were synthesized by means of a combination of enantiopure starting materials, easily available from l-α-amino acids, with sustainable metal catalysts such as iron(III) salts. The scope of this methodology is highlighted in an enantiodivergent approach to the synthesis of both (+)- and (-)-pyrrolidine 197B alkaloids from l-glutamic acid. In addition, a computational study was carried out to gain insight into the complete diastereoselectivity of the transformation.

Keywords: alkaloids; cyclization; hydroamination; iron; nitrogen heterocycles.