Stereoselective 5-exo-trig radical cyclization in the enantioselective synthesis of Pregabalin

A practical stereoselective 5-exo-trig radical cyclization procedure was developed in order to prepare enantiornerically pure GABA derivative precursors (4-alkyl-pyrrolidin-2-ones). This procedure allows much more rapid access to optically pure GABA derivatives, such as the powerful antiepileptic agent (S)-(+)-3-aminomethyl-5-methylhexanoic acid (Pregabaline). (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd.