A convenient methodology for the synthesis of 2-substituted pyrrolidines from alpha-amino acids is described. A number of cyclic and acyclic alpha-amino acid derivatives have been prepared in order to test the scope and diastereoselectivity of this method. These substrates were treated with iodosylbenzene or (diacetoxyiodo)benzene (DIB) and iodine in order to generate the corresponding carboxyl radical, which evolves by loss of carbon dioxide to produce a carbon radical which in turn undergoes oxidation to an N-acyliminium ion. This postulated intermediate could be trapped inter- or intramolecularly by oxygen, nitrogen and carbon nucleophiles. In the case of carbon nucleophiles, a Lewis acid is required for the concomitant carbon-carbon bond formation. High yields and modest diastereoselectivities were obtained. The present methodology was applied to the synthesis of omega-amino aldehydes or hemiaminals 8-14, 2-aminopyrrolidine derivative 15, aminolactone derivative 16, and azasugar analogues 17 and 18. When carbon nucleophiles were used, alkaloid precursors such as 2-allyl- or 2-alkylpyrrolidines 19-23 and 25 were obtained.

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The one-pot conversion of readily available alpha-amino acid into beta-amino acid derivatives was carried out in good yields. The method is a sequential process initiated by a tandem radical decarboxylation-oxidation reaction; the resulting acyliminium ion was trapped by silyl ketenes. Stoichiometric and catalytic versions of this reaction were developed and then applied to prepare modified di- and tripeptides. Interestingly, some tripeptides formed expanded beta-turns in the solid state.

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The selective cleavage of methoxy protecting groups next to hydroxy groups is achieved using a radical hydrogen abstraction reaction as the key step. Under the reaction conditions, the hydroxy group generates an alkoxyl radical that reacts with the sterically accessible adjacent methoxy group, which is transformed into an acetal. In the second step, the acetals are hydrolyzed to give alcohols or diols. A one-pot hydrogen abstraction-hydrolysis procedure was also developed. Good yields were usually achieved, and the mild conditions of this methodology were compatible with different functional groups and sensitive substrates such as carbohydrates.