N-[3-(Trifluoromethyl)homoallyl]sulfonamides, prepared via ring opening of (
S)-glycidyl ethers or2-aryloxiranes with 1-(trifluoromethyl)vinyllithium, underwent intramolecular addition or S
N2'-type reactionin the normally disfavored 5-
endo-
trig fashion, leading to 2-substituted 4-(trifluoromethyl)- or 4-(difluoromethylene)pyrrolidines. Both
- and
-face-selective hydrogenation of the 4-difluoromethylenegroup afforded
syn- and
anti-4-(difluoromethyl)pyrrolidines, respectively. These sequences, followed bythe oxidation of a 2-hydroxymethyl or 2-aryl group, successfully provided prolines with a trifluoromethyl,difluoromethylene, or difluoromethyl group at the 4-position, including optically active prolines.