Unusual (Z)-selective palladium(<scp>ii</scp>)-catalysed addition of aryl boronic acids to vinylaziridines

Abstract

The palladium(II)-catalysed addition of arylboronic acids to vinylaziridines has been developed. This reaction proceeds via an insertion/ring-opening process to provide (Z)-allylsulfonamides preferentially. This stereoselectivity is complimentary to existing methods that typically proceed via a SN2' mechanism to yield (E)-allylsulfonamides. Electron-deficient arylboronic acids were the optimum substrates for this reaction, while electron-donating groups on the aromatic ring of the boronic acids resulted in moderate yields.