Synthesis of alpha-aminomethyl derivatives of beta-phenyltetrahydrofuran-2-one.

beta-Phenyltetrahydrofuran-2-one-alpha-carboxylic acid 1 was transformed in the Mannich reaction into alpha-aminomethyl derivatives of beta-phenyltetrahydrofuran-2-one 2-6. The obtained alpha-aminomethyllactones, in reaction of ammono- and hydrazinolysis yield alpha-aminomethyl-beta-phenyl gamma-hydroxybutyric acid derivatives 7-12. Compounds 4, 5, 8, 9, and 10 depress the central nervous system, and compound 12 shows analgesic properties.