N3-Substituted hydantoins (1) have been shown to undergo LM 4 reduction (THF, room temperature, 2 days) to give 4-hydroxy-2-imidazolidinones (3) in good yields. Reduction of 3, Ci-disubstituted hydantoins in which an aliphatic substituent was present at nitrogen 3 led to the preferential formation of the cis adduct 3. Conversely, disubstituted hydantoins possessing an aryl moiety at nitrogen 3 gave the trans derivative 3 as the major product. ...
