General procedure for the synthesis of (3S,4S)-pyrrolidine-3,4-diol from (3S,4S)-1-benzylpyrrolidine-3,4-diol: 10% palladium-carbon catalyst (100 mg) and acetic acid (10 mL) were added to a solution of (3S,4S)-1-benzylpyrrolidine-3,4-diol (522 mg) in ethanol (15 mL). The mixture was placed in a Parr hydrogenation unit and reacted at 40 psi hydrogen pressure for 7 hours at room temperature. Upon completion of the reaction, the reaction solution was filtered through diatomaceous earth and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. To the concentrated residue was added 4N hydrochloric acid-dioxane solution and concentrated again under reduced pressure to give (3S,4S)-pyrrolidine-3,4-diol (373 mg) as a yellow solid in 99% yield. Mass spectrum (APCI) m/z: 104 [M + H]+.
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