Enantiospecific syntheses of (R)- and (S)-proline and some derivatives from D-glucono-1,5-lactone

Carbohydrate-based enantiospecific syntheses of (R)-proline 1 and (S)-proline 2 from the previously reported D-erythro-hexonate ester 9 are described, Azide-substitution reactions on appropriately activated intermediates derived from ester 9, followed by reductive cyclization (H-2/Pd-C), gave the substituted pyrrolidines 14 and 22, which were converted into their corresponding M-Cbz derivatives 16 and 24 in conventional manner. Mild acidic hydrolysis of these, followed by oxidation (sodium metaperiodate), gave the protected prolinals 3 and 4, which on further oxidation (sodium chlorite), followed by catalytic hydrogenolysis, gave the prolines 1 and 2, The N-Cbz-prolinol derivatives 5 and 6 are also reported.