Asymmetric synthesis of substituted prolines from δ-amino β-ketoesters.: Methyl (2S,5R)-(+)-5-phenylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylate

Metal carbenoid chemistry is used to convert delta-amino delta-ketoesters into 5-substituted 3-oxo prolines, which expands the utility of this class of polyfunctionalized chiral building blocks.