Devising efficient routes to industrial chemicals: a comparison of the alkylation and metathesis synthesis of N-Boc-3-pyrroline

摘要

Here, we compare two precedented methods to produce the chemical intermediate N-Boc-3-pyrroline. The two alternative reaction pathways proceed through either an N-alkylation or a ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction to form the 5-membered ring. A comparison of environmental impact and reaction efficiency reveals the RCM reaction is more favourable. The RCM approach proceeds through fewer steps leading to a higher overall yield and uses more environmentally friendly reaction conditions that produce less waste. These advantages make the metathesis route a favourable method to produce N-Boc-3-pyrroline at an industrial scale.