1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition reaction of a d-galactose derived nitrone with allyl alcohol: synthesis of polyhydroxylated perhydroazaazulene alkaloids

Diastereofacial intermolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of d-galactose derived nitrone with allyl alcohol followed by tosylation afforded, in a 1:1 ratio endo- and exo-isooxazolidines 4a and 4b with complete diastereoselectivity at the nitrone carbon. The N–O bond reductive cleavage and S_N2 displacement afforded the pyrrolidine ring with a galactose appendage that on acetonide cleavage and reductive amino-cyclization afforded pentahydroxylated perhydroazaazulenes 1a and 1b.