Convenient synthesis of julolidines using benzotriazole methodology

Reaction of N,N-bis[(benzotriazol-1-yl)methyl]aniline (2) with 1-vinylpyrrolidin-2-one gives a mixture of diastereomeric 1,7-bis(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)julolidines 3. After reduction of 3 with LAH, the predominant trans diastereomer of 1,7-di(pyrrolidin-1-yl)julolidine (4) is separated. Reaction of 2 with ethyl vinyl ether yields predominantly trans-1,7-di(benzotriazol-1-yl)julolidin (11). Stepwise synthesis from tetrahydroquinoline 15 gives access to julolidines with two different substituents on C-1 and C-7. Reaction of 1-[(benzotriazol-1-yl)methyl]-l,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (25) with enolizable aldehydes gives a mixture of tetrahydroquinolines 26-29 which are converted into single julolidine products upon treatment with sodium hydride, LAH, or phenylmagnesium bromide. Reactions of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines with benzotriazole and 2 molar equiv of enolizable aldehydes gives 1,2,3-trisubstituted julolidines 38-41, which with lithium aluminum hydride, sodium hydride, or a Grignard reagent produce single diastereomers of products 42, 43, and 45, respectively.