Synthesis of Azetidine-Based Beta-Amino Alcohols ^†

Beta-amino alcohols are versatile chemicals used as scaffolds in medicinal chemistry and they are key factors for the efficacy of numerous pharmaceutical products. Locking the conformation of the active fragment in bioactive molecules may increase the potency and selectivity towards target receptors. Small rings, especially the azetidine framework, can serve as conformational lock yet providing the necessary size for receptor binding. Herein, we report the synthesis of enantiopure beta-amino alcohols where the motif is combined with a structurally constrained azetidine cycle. The key steps towards target molecules include base-induced azetidine ring closure and subsequent beta-amino alcohol core installation.