Preparation of Substituted Pyrrolidines by Diastereoselective Reduction

Significance

A very simple strategy was used to provide highly substituted pyrrolidines. With this approach, up to four stereogenic centers are created with good diastereomeric control from planar molecules. Previous attempts at hydrogenating pyrroles were unselective. The key for a successful reaction is the presence of an alcohol or amine group α to the pyrrole, at the 2-position.