Novel synthesis of tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazol-2-ones via decarboxylative cyclization reaction of α-amino acids and α-ketoamides

An efficient and practical method was developed for the synthesis of tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazol-2-ones based on the decarboxylative cyclization reaction of alpha-ketoamides and proline. In most cases,tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazol-2-ones were obtained with perfect diastereoselectivity to give trans-isomer in excellent yield. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.