The enamine derived from cyclopentanone and (2R,5R)-2,5-bis(methoxymet
hyl)pyrrolidine added ethyl N-mesylazidoformimidate [N3C(OEt)NMs] and
ethyl azidoformate (N3CO2Et) with high asymmetric induction (>95%), wh
ile the corresponding cyclohexanone enamine gave ring contraction prod
ucts. With the same azides the cyclopentanone enamine, prepared from (
S)-2-(methoxymethyl)pyrrolidine gave N-substituted alpha-amino cyclope
ntanones in moderate enantiomeric excess. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Lt
d.