A new approach to kainoids through tandem Michael reaction methodology: application to the enantioselective synthesis of (+)- and (-)-.alpha.-allokainic acid and to the formal synthesis of (-)-.alpha.-kainic acid

Abstract

A convergent one-pot construction of functinalized pyrrolidine ring sistems has been developed.The method is based on a tandem Michael reaction initiated by an intramolecular conjugate addition of a nitrogen nucleophile to an electophilic olefin followed by trapping of the generated enolate by a bult-in unsaturated acceptor.