A new enantiodivergent synthesis of the Geissman-Waiss lactone

Intramolecular Michael reaction of methyl (R)-6-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)oxy-4-hydroxy-2-hexenoate, in turn obtained from tert-butyl (R)-3-hydroxy-4-pentenoate, paved the way to the synthesis of both enantiomers of 2-oxa-6-azabicyclo [3.3.0] octan- 3 -one (the Geissman-Waiss lactone), a precursor for necine bases. Key intermediates in this approach were represented by enantiomeric bicyclic lactones incorporating a [1,2]-oxazinane nucleus, which has been conveniently used to install the pyrrolidine framework of the target compounds through a synthetic scheme featuring the reduction of the nitrogen-oxygen bond and an intramolecular S(N)2 reaction. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.