Benzaldehyde → (S)-(-)-1-Benzyl-3-pyrrolidinol

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of (3S)-3-hydroxypyrrolidine (2.0 g, 25 mmol) in 50 mL CH2Cl2, under a nitrogen atmosphere, was cooled to 0° C. and benzaldehyde (2.92 g. 27.5 mmol) was added, followed by 1 g of powdered 4A molecular sieves. Sodium triacetoxyborohydride (7.4 gm, 35 mmol)was added in several portions over 30 min, and the reaction was allowed to stir at room temperature for 18 h. The reaction was again cooled to 0° C. and quenched by addition of 10 mL methanol, followed by 5 mL of 1N HCl. The molecular sieve solids were removed by filtration through a glass fiber paper, and the filtrate was extracted with 20 mL diethyl ether. The organic phase was discarded, and the aqueous phase was first basified by addition of conc. ammonium hydroxide, and then extracted with EtOAc (3×20 mL). The combined extracts were washed with 20 mL brine, dried (MgSO4), filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to furnish 3.2 g (73%) of clear yellow oil, which required no further purification. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.2-7.4 (m, 5H), 4.33 (m, 1H), 3.63, (s, 2H), 2.83-3.89 (m, 1H), 2.67 (d, J=9.9 Hz, 1H), 2.53-2.55 (m, 1H), 2.23-2.34 (m, 1H), 2.14-2.20 (m, 2H), 1.70-1.77 (m, 1H).

Provenance & Evidence