Efficient synthesis of (S,S)-2,8-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]nonane

An efficient synthetic route for moxifloxacin chiral intermediate via five steps was established. First, dehydration, N-acylation, and cyclization were combined in one pot to meet the industrial requirement. Then relatively low hydrogen pressure was employed in the catalytic hydrogenation reaction with high yield. Isopropanol/water system was used in resolution, which guaranteed high yield and perfect optical purity. The racemic process conducted by manganese dioxide and Pd/C successfully converted the undesired enantiomer into the racemate and hence the total yield increased remarkably. Furthermore, mild hydrogen transfer catalytic hydrogenation method was utilized in debenzylation process instead of high-pressure hydrogenation. Total yield of 39.0% was achieved, which was much higher than that of 29.0% in literature.