An original synthesis of trans-1,2-diaminocyclobutane

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4020(95)01091-2

A new synthesis of trans-1,2-diaminocyclobutane 1 is described, in which the key feature is the novel stereoselective borane-induced reductive ring-expansion reaction of the cyclopropane-iminonitrile 2 to give the cyclobutane 4, This latter intermediate was also used to prepare a trans-fused rigid analogue of moclobemide.