An Improved Reduction Procedure in the Synthesis of Substituted Pyrrolidines via An Aminomercuration/Reduction Sequence of Primary Alkenylamines

Abstract

Aminomercuration/reduction sequence of δ-alkenylamines is a typical route to substituted pyrrolidines. Backward reaction to the starting material is a major drawback which occurs during sodium borohydride reduction of the intermediate organomercurial. We describe here a new reduction procedure which prevents almost completely this backward reaction and leads to significant increases in the yields of pyrrolidines.