Enantioselective syntheses of trans-3,4-difluoropyrrolidines and investigation of their applications in catalytic asymmetric synthesis.

[reaction: see text] Asymmetric syntheses of enantiopure trans-3,4-difluoropyrrolidines have been prepared by the introduction of fluorine at both centers in a single operation; asymmetric epoxidations and additions to benzaldehyde were conducted using catalysts whose chirality depends on organofluorine asymmetry.