Synthesis of Enantiopure Imidazolines through a Ritter Reaction of 2-(1-Aminoalkyl)aziridines with Nitriles

Abstract

The Ritter reaction of enantiopure 2-(1-aminoalkyl)aziridines 1 with different nitriles afford enantiopure tetrasubstituted imidazolines 2. The opening of the aziridine ring takes place with total regio- and stereoselectivity. A mechanism to explain the described addition reaction is proposed. [reaction: see text]