New strategy for the synthesis of substituted morpholines.

A four-step synthesis of cis-3,5-disubstituted morpholines from enantiomerically pure amino alcohols is described. The key step in the synthesis is a Pd-catalyzed carboamination reaction between a substituted ethanolamine derivative and an aryl or alkenyl bromide. The morpholine products are generated as single stereoisomers in moderate to good yield. This strategy also provides access to fused bicyclic morpholines as well as 2,3- and 2,5-disubstituted products.

Mild conditions for the synthesis of functionalized pyrrolidines via Pd-catalyzed carboamination reactions.

[reaction: see text] The palladium-catalyzed carboamination of N-protected gamma-aminoalkenes with aryl bromides and triflates has been achieved under new, mild reaction conditions using the weak base Cs(2)CO(3) in dioxane solvent. These reactions tolerate a wide variety of functional groups, including enolizable ketones, nitro groups, methyl esters, and acetates, which are not compatible with previously described conditions.