Reduction of 2-oxa-3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octanes

The reduction of 2-oxa-6-oxo-3-phenyl-4-(R-phenyl)-7-(4-nitrophenyl)3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octanes with hydrazine hydrate in the presence of Raney nickel gave the corresponding amino alcohols. X-ray diffraction analysis established the stereochemistry of the molecule in the crystal of 1-(4-anilino)-3-[anilino(phenyl)methyl]-4-hydroxypyrrolidone-2.