Tandem cationic cyclisation–aziridinium ion formation–nucleophilic ring opening: new methodology for the stereocontrolled synthesis of substituted pyrrolidines

Abstract

A novel tandem cationic cyclisation–aziridinium ion formation–nucleophilic ring opening procedure has been developed which provides powerful new methodology for the stereocontrolled synthesis of a wide variety of substituted pyrrolidines from acyclic precursors. The intermediate bicyclic aziridinium ions can be isolated and their structure has been confirmed by X-ray crystallography.