Stereocontrolled syntheses of Kainoid amino acids from 7-azabicyclo[2.2.] heptadienes using tandem radical addition-homoallylic radical rearrangement

A full account of extension and adaptation of the methodology to the addition of carbon-based radicals to 7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptadienes is presented. Oxidative cleavage of the resulting 2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-enes provide straightfoward access to polysubstituted pyrrolidines and in particular an efficient entry to the Kainoid amino acids.