ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis of Polysubstituted Pyrrolizidines from Proline Derivatives and Conjugated Nitroolefins

The stereochemistry of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides derived from aromatic aldehydes and i-proline alkyl esters with several nitroolefins was investigated. Cyclic and acyclic nitroolefins add to the anti form of the ylide in a highly diastereoselective but poorly regioselective manner to give pyrrolizidine derivatives. In a few cases, the stereochemical results strongly support a stepwise mechanism.