Enantioselective synthesis of 5-substituted and 3,5-disubstituted-2-formylpyrrolidine derivatives, the key D-ring fragments of (-)-quinocarcin and (-)-10-decarboxyquinocarcin

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)73849-4

The title synthesis was achieved starting from (S)-glutamic acid and (S)-pyroglutamic acid by featuring formation of an N-protected aminal, substitution of the methoxy group with cyanide anion, and reduction of the cyanide to an aldehyde as common key steps.