Intramolecular reductive amination strategy to the synthesis of (R)-N-Boc-2-hydroxymethylmorpholine, N-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)(R)-2-hydroxymethylmorpholine, and (R)-2-benzylmorpholine

A concise high yielding enantioselective synthesis of (R)-N-Boc-2-hydroxymethylmorpholine, N-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)(R)-2-hydroxymethylmorpholine, and (R)-benzylmorpholine has been achieved by employing proline-catalyzed asymmetric α-aminooxylation of aldehyde and palladium-catalyzed intramolecular reductive amination of azido aldehyde as the key steps.