Synthesis and NMR spectroscopic studies of optically active derivatives ofgamma-aminobutenoic acids and 2-amino-pyrrolin-4-ones

An efficient method for the preparation of optically active derivatives of gamma -amino-butenoic acids and their cyclic derivatives, 2-amino-pyrrolin- 4-ones, from alpha -amino acids is described. Partial racemization accompan ies the formation of initial unsaturated gamma -amino- beta -hydroxy esters 5-8, as determined by chiral HPLC.