Pyrrolidines from β-aminoselenides via radical cyclization.: Diastereoselectivity control by the N-substituent

[GRAPHICS] N-Allyl-beta-aminoalkyl phenyl selenides-precursors of 3-aza-5-hexenyl radicals-were prepared by ring opening of N-allylaziridines with benzeneselenol under acidic conditions or by sodium cyanoborohydride reduction of N-allylimines of alpha-phenylselenenyl ketones. The effect of various N-protective groups (acyl, sulfonyl, or phosphinoyl) on diastereoselectivity in thermally or photochemically initiated 3-aza-5-hexenyl reductive radical cyclization was studied. Whereas N-unprotected derivatives afforded trans-2,4-disubstituded pyrrolidines with good selectivity, the diphenylphosphinoyl group directed cyclization to occur in a highly cis-selective manner.