| abstract |
An ylide-based aza-Payne rearrangement of 2,3-aziridin- 1 -ols leads to an efficient process for the preparation of pyrrolidines. The aza-Payne rearrangement under the basic reaction conditions favors the formation of epoxy amines. Subsequent nucleophilic attack of the epoxide by the ylide yields a bis-anion, which upon a 5-exo-tet ring closure yields the desired pyrrolidine, thus completing the relay of the 3-membered the 5-membered nitrogen containing ring system. This process takes place with complete transfer of stereochemical fidelity, and can be applied to sterically hindered aziridinols. |