Domino Elimination/Nucleophilic Addition in the Synthesis of Chiral Pyrrolidines

Polyhydroxylated pyrrolidines have been synthesized in a one-pot procedure by the addition of an organometallic reagent to isoxazolidines obtained by a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between nitrones and vinylsulfones. This method highlights sulfone reactivity and provides an easy approach for the preparation of chiral pyrrolidines using cyclic imines as key intermediates.