The preparation of (R)-N-(2-hydroxy-1-phenylethyl)-3-methylenepiperidin-2-o
ne (2) and (R)-N-(2-hydroxy-1-phenylethyl)piperidine-2,3-dione (3) from the
(R)-phenylglycinol-derived lactam 1 is described. We have also studied the
reactivity of 3-oxolactam 3, and a series of functionalized derivatives ha
s been prepared.