Chlorination/cyclodehydration of amino alcohols with SOCl2: an old reaction revisited.

A simple, one-pot preparation of cyclic amines via efficient chlorination of amino alcohols with use of SOCl2 has been developed. This approach obviates the need for the classical N-protection/O-activation/cyclization/deprotection sequence commonly employed for this type of transformation. The reaction pathways and the general scope of this method have also been investigated.