Oxazolinyloxiranyllithium-mediated synthesis of highly strained heterocyclic compounds

The addition reaction of α-lithiated oxazolinyloxiranes to nitrones has been investigated. 1,5,9-Trioxa-8,10-diazadispiro[2.0.4.3]undecanes formed in a completely diastereoselective manner upon treatment of α-lithiated oxiranes with nitrones. The lithiation of optically active trans and cis-oxazolinyloxiranes followed by the addition of a nitrone resulted in the formation of the same dispirocyclic compound. An explanation for the observed stereoselectivity is provided.