An intramolecular Michael reaction strategy for the synthesis of 2,6-disubstituted-3-piperidinols

A new synthetic strategy for 2,6-disubstituted-3-hydroxypiperidines via intramolecular Michael reaction of an α-amino-β-hydroxy-δ-acrylate is described. The latter was derived from l-alanine in a few steps via the key intermediacy of an enantiopure γ-amino-β-keto sulfone.