XY–ZH compounds as potential 1,3-dipoles. Part 63: Silver catalysed azomethine ylide cycloaddition—the synthesis of spiro homoserine lactone analogues

A range of room temperature 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of imines of 2-amino-γ-lactone and thiolactone, catalysed by a combination of AgOAc or Ag2O with NEt3 or DBU, are described. The spiro lactones/thiolactones are formed regio- and stereoselectively as single cycloadducts in good yield via the syn dipoles and an endo-transition states.