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s-BuLi-induced α-lithiation-elimination of LiOMe from N-Boc-3-methoxyazetidine and further in situ α-lithiation generates N-Boc-2-lithio-2-azetine which can be trapped with electrophiles, either directly (carbonyl or heteroatom electrophiles) or after transmetalation to copper (allowing allylations and propargylations), providing a concise access to 2-substituted 2-azetines.

α-Lithiation of N-thiopivaloylazetidin-3-ol and subsequent electrophile trapping provides access to a range of 2-substituted 3-hydroxyazetidines with generally good trans-diastereoselectivity, aside from deuteration, which gives the cis-diastereoisomer. Deuterium labeling studies indicate that the initial α-deprotonation occurs preferentially, but not exclusively, in a trans-selective manner. These studies also suggest that the stereochemical outcome of the electrophile trapping depends on the electrophile used but is independent of which α-proton (cis or trans to the hydroxyl group) is initially removed.