A practical and cost-effective synthesis of 3, 3-difluoropyrrolidine is reported. The synthesis involves the isolation of two intermediates, which are prepared via two efficient through processes:(1) a Claisen rearrangement followed by a Ru (VIII)-catalyzed oxidation to prepare the 2, 2-difluorosuccinic acid and (2) an efficient cyclization to form N-benzyl-3, 3- difluoropyrrolidinone followed by BH3⊙ Me2S reduction.
