Reaction of 1-benzyl-2, 5-dicyanopyrrolidine with alkyl halides give unsymmetrical 2, 5- dialkylated products (3) in high yields. Hydrolysis of 3 gives γ-diketones which serve as precursors for jasmone analogues having a cyclopentenone framework, while decyanation and debenzylation of 3 lead to 2, 5-dialkylpyrrolidine alkaloids in high yields.
