A (-)-sparteine-directed highly enantioselective synthesis of boroproline. Solid- and solution-state structure and properties.

A two-step, direct asymmetric synthesis of the trifluoroacetate ammonium salt of boroproline is reported. (-)-Sparteine-mediated lithiation of N-Boc-pyrrolidine afforded N-Boc-aminoboronic acid in good yield and enantioselectivity as determined by HPLC (pinanediol ester). Deprotection using TFA yielded the ammonium salt; full characterization data are presented, and the structure in aqueous solution and the occurrence of a B-N species are discussed.