Synthesis and substitution reactions of N-protected 2-(phenylselenonylmethyl) pyrrolidines

Alkyl phenyl selenides derived from the benzeneselenenyl chloride induced cyclization of N-protected pent-4-enylamines can be converted in good yield into the corresponding 2-hydroxymethyl- or 2-alkoxymethyl-substituted pyrrolidines by oxidation to the corresponding selenone, followed by reaction with water (or hydroxide) or with the corresponding alcohol. Details of the reactions and possible mechanisms for the substitution are discussed