New methodology for the synthesis of enantiopure (3R,2aR)-(-)-3-phenyl-hexahydro-oxazolo[3,2-a]-pyridin-5-one: a synthesis of (S)-(+)-coniine

A new and efficient methodology for the enantiopure synthesis of (3R,2aR)-( -)-3-phenyl-hexahydro-oxarolo[3.2-a]py ridin-5-one 3 starting from (1'R)-(- )-1-(2'-hydroxy-1-phenyl-ethyl)-(1 H)-pyridin-2-one 1 is described. In addi tion, the enantiospecific synthesis of (S)-(+)-coniine hydrochloride 6 in g ood yield from 3 is reported. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights res erved.