To a solution of N-benzhydrylazetidin-3-ol (1.0 g, 4.18 mmol) in anhydrous THF (66 mL) under nitrogen were added N-hydroxyphthalimide (750 mg, 4.60 mmol) and triphenylphosphine (2.19 g, 8.36 mmol). The reaction mixture was cooled to 0° C. and DEAD (1.52 mL, 8.36 mmol) was added dropwise. The solution was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred overnight. The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced. The residue was purified on column chromatography (eluent: pentane/EtOAc 7/3 to 4/6) to give the title compound (600 mg, 37%) as a wax.
