3,4-Dihydroxypyrrolidines via modified tandem aza-Payne/hydroamination pathway.

The outcome of a tandem aza-Payne/hydroamination reaction is modified via the use of a latent nucleophile. The latter initially serves as an electrophile to intercept the aziridine alkoxide and afterward turns into a nucleophile thereby performing the aziridine ring opening, out competing the intramolecular aza-Payne pathway. Subsequent hydroamination in the same pot provides N-Ts enamide carbonates, which can be easily converted into biologically significant 3,4-dihydroxylactams.