A route to selective functionalization of polyhydroxypyrrolidines

A route to selective functionalization of polyhydroxypyrrolidines is described. The method is based on orthogonal protection/deprotection along the process of synthesis of the referred pyrrolidines, which consist in hydroxylation of the double bond of 2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-enes followed by its oxidative cleavage and in situ reduction of the intermediate dialdehyde. The synthesis of a novel N-hydroxypyrrolidine is also described.