Short, highly efficient syntheses of protected 3-azido- and 4-azidoproline and their precursors

[structure: see text] An improved synthesis of protected cis- and trans-3-azido-L-proline and cis- and trans-4-azido-L- and -D-proline is reported. These compounds have been synthesized from the corresponding hydroxyproline precursors using diphenylphosphoryl azide under Mitsunobu conditions. Short, highly efficient syntheses of these precursors are described, based on a new lactone-opening reaction and p-nitrobenzoate hydrolysis under very mild conditions.