Studies on the synthesis of (2S,3R)-3-hydroxy-3-methylproline via C2-N bond formation

A new efficient synthesis of (2S,3R)-3-hydroxy-3-methylproline (3) is reported. During the course of a recent study on the Lewis acid promoted intramolecular opening of an epoxide by a carbamate NH, a highly concerted rearrangement was unexpectedly observed. Further investigations of substrate generality show that delta-carbamate-alpha,beta-epoxide esters commonly underwent similar rearrangements with the aid of Lewis acids. Retrosynthetic analysis of such a C(2)-N disconnection can lead to an efficient synthesis of (2S,3R)-3-hydroxy-3-methylproline (3) in high enantio purity. Stereochemistries were established by a Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation and a diastereoselective reductive amination.