Oxazolidine synthesis by complementary stereospecific and stereoconvergent methods.

Complementary stereospecific and stereoconvergent reactions for enantioselective synthesis of 1,3-oxazolidines are reported. In the presence of a rhodium catalyst, reaction of enantioenriched butadiene monoxide with aryl imines is stereospecific (99% ee). Alternatively, the reaction of racemic butadiene monoxide, in the presence of a chiral palladium or nickel catalyst, provides an enantioselective synthesis of 1,3-oxazolidines (up to 94% ee). Synthesis of either the cis- or trans-1,3-oxazolidines is also accomplished under catalyst control.