Synthesis of the 2β,3α- and 2β,3β-isomers of 3-(p-substituted phenyl)tropane-2-carboxylic acid methyl esters

The synthesis of 3-( p -substituted phenyl)trop-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester 8 and its reduction with samarium iodide provide a new synthesis of 3β-(4′-substituted phenyl)tropane-2β-carboxylic acid methyl ester ( 2 ) and, in addition, give the first synthesis of the 2β,3α-diastereoisomer 4 .