A rapid catalytic asymmetric synthesis of 1,3,4-trisubstituted pyrrolidines

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.tetlet.2004.02.114

The asymmetric synthesis of 1,3,4-trisubstituted pyrrolidines was accomplished in two steps from readily available starting materials. A 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of an azomethine ylide to a propiolate ester followed by a Rh-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-arylation of the resulting pyrroline with an arylboronic acid provided the desired 1,3,4-trisubstituted pyrrolidine products in good to excellent enantioselectivities.