Approaches toward the synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted-1,3-thiazolidines

Synthetic approaches for new 2,5-disubstituted-1,3-thiazolidines are described. Steric and electronic effects of the N-substituent of the thiazolidine ring represent the major parameter in the rearrangement process. The nmr studies demonstrate that N-unsubstituted 2,5-disubstituted-1,3-thiazolidines exist as epimeric mixture, while the corresponding N-acetylated analogues exist as a conformer mixture.