Aziridinolysis patterns of (NPCl2)3 and (NPCl2)4; crystal structures of trans-N3P3(NC2H4)2Cl4 and 2,trans-4-N4P4(NC2H4)2Cl6

Abstract

The secondary amine aziridine (HNC2H4) shows a peculiar competition between geminal and nongeminal substitution in its reactions with both (NPCl2)3 and (NPCl2)4. This is demonstrated by the formation of the complete series of (isomeric) derivatives N3P3(NC2H4)nCl6 –n(n= 1–6) and N4P4(NC2H4)nCl8 – n(n= 1–3). Structures are assigned based on 31P and 1H n.m.r. data supported by the crystal-structure determinations of two key compounds, trans-N3P3(NC2H4)2Cl4 and 2,trans-4-N4P4(NC2H4)2Cl6.