A Regio- and Diastereoselective Intramolecular Nitrone Cycloaddition for Practical 3-and 2,3-Disubstituted Piperidine Synthesis from γ-Butyrolactone

A fast and efficient route for diversity-oriented synthesis of 3- and 2,3-disubstituted piperidines, featuring an intramolecular nitrone cycloaddition with high regio- and diastereoselectivity, was achieved in six steps and 36-66% overall yield from commercially available gamma-butyrolactone or 1,4-butanediol. A new N-alkenyl nitrone enoate was used in this intramolecular nitrone cycloaddition, and the regioselectivity, diastereoselectivity, and reversibility of this cycloaddition were investigated.