Amino acid derived 3-pyrrolines can be readily prepared in a single step in enantiomerically pure form by cycloalkylation of the corresponding amino esters with (Z)-1,4-dichloro-2-butene. Enantiopure azabicyclo[3.3.0]octenones can be then easily obtained through an unprecedented Pauson-Khand reaction followed by diastereomer separation.