Asymmetric synthesis of 2-substituted pyrrolidines by addition of Grignard reagents to gamma-chlorinated N-tert-butanesulfinyl imine

A highly diastereoselective addition of various Grignard reagents to chiral gamma-chlorinated N-tert-butanesulfinyl imine resulting in the formation of 2-substituted pyrrolidines is reported. This method is general and also efficient for the preparation of both enantiomers of 2-aryl, 2-alkyl and 2-vinyl substituted pyrrolidines in high yields.