Synthesis of 2-(3-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-alkenyl)-1-pyrrolines and 2-(3-hydroxybutyl)-1-pyrroline using α-lithiated 2-methyl-1-pyrroline

Condensation of 2-methyl-1-pyrroline with chloroacetone or 3-chloro-2-butanone using LDA in THF afforded novel 2-(3-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-alkenyl)-1-pyrrolines via a peculiar reaction mechanism instead of the anticipated 2-(3-oxobutyl)-1-pyrrolines. The intermediacy of 2-(2,3-epoxy-2-methylalkyl)-1-pyrrolines in the latter transformation was demonstrated by immediate reductive epoxide ring opening utilizing lithium aluminium hydride in diethyl ether. Furthermore, 2-(3-oxobutyl)-1-pyrroline was prepared via an alternative approach through alkylation of 2-methyl-1-pyrroline with 3-chloro-2-(methoxymethyloxy)-1-propene using LDA in THF, followed by acid hydrolysis. Reduction of 2-(3-oxobutyl)-1-pyrroline by sodium borohydride in methanol afforded the corresponding 2-(3-hydroxybutyl)-1-pyrroline in good yield.