The Heck arylation of
N-carbomethoxy-
L-3-dehydroproline methyl ester with arenediazonium tetrafluoroborates produced chiral 4-aryldehydroproline derivatives in moderate to good yields in a highly regio- and stereocontrolled fashion. A rationale for the unexpected highregioselectivity is provided using Deeth's model. Heck adduct 15 (G =
o-CH
3O) was converted into several aryl kainoids using concise andefficient routes.