Polar [3+2] cycloaddition between N-methyl azomethine ylide and trans-3,3,3-trichloro-1-nitroprop-1-ene

Abstract

Pyrrolidines are important heterocyclic organic compounds which show biological effects. Many of them are successfully used in medicine. These compounds can also be applied in industry, for example as dyes or agrochemical substances. Therefore, the study of pyrrolidines chemistry is important for modern science. In this paper the pyrrolidines synthesis in [3+2] cycloaddition between N-methyl azomethine ylide and trans-3,3,3-trichloro-1-nitroprop-1-ene was studied. The reaction was carried out experimentally and based on computational research. The obtained results show the reaction may be of a polar nature, and proceed under mild conditions leading to (3SR,4RS)-1-methyl-3-nitro-4-(trichloromethyl)pyrrolidine as a single reaction product. Probably, a similar protocol can be applied for analogous reactions involving other 2-substituted nitroethene analogues.