A 2,3-cis-selective synthesis of aziridines bearing a vinyl group from allyl methyl carbonates and allyl mesylates

Abstract

A convenient method for the synthesis of synthetically useful chiral 2-vinylaziridines from natural α-amino acids is described. Satisfactory 2,3-cis-selectivities are obtained by exposure of methyl carbonates of various allylic alcohols bearing an N-protected amino group to a catalytic amount of tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(>0>), Pd(PPh3)4, in aprotic solvents such as THF. Base-promoted aziridination of mesylates of various N-protected amino allylic alcohols followed by Pd(PPh3)4 catalyzed isomerization for the 2,3-cis-selective synthesis of vinylaziridines is also presented.