Unusual selectivity of unprotected aziridines in palladium-catalyzed allylic amination enables facile preparation of branched aziridines

Functionalized branched aziridines can be prepared in high yields and with high levels of regioselectivity using unprotected aziridines as nitrogen sources in palladium-catalyzed allylic amination. High levels of enantioselectivity can be achieved with BINAP on palladium. This methodology allows for strategic placement of an aziridine-containing fragment within a complex molecule environment for further elaboration.     

Development of a [3+3] cycloaddition strategy toward functionalized piperidines

This paper describes a novel route to functionalized piperidines via a formal [3+3] cycloaddition reaction of activated aziridines and palladium-trimethylenemethane (Pd-TMM) complexes. The cycloaddition reaction generally proceeds enantiospecifically with ring opening at the least hindered site of the aziridine. Therefore, readily available enantiomerically pure 2-substituted aziridines can be utilized to prepare enantiomerically pure 2-substituted piperidines in good to excellent yield. The N-substituent on the aziridine proved to be crucial to the success of this reaction with only 4-toluenesulfonyl (Ts) and 4-methoxybenzenesulfonyl (PMBS) aziridines permitting smooth cycloaddition to take place. Additionally, spirocyclic aziridines have been found to participate in the [3+3] cycloaddition reaction, whereas 2,3-disubstituted aziridines can be applied to provide fused bicyclic piperidines, albeit in low yield.     

Oxidative cycloamination of olefins with aziridines as a versatile route to saturated nitrogen-containing heterocycles

Highly reactive [5,3] and [6,3] bicyclic aziridines can be readily prepared from the corresponding NH aziridines and N-bromosuccinimide by intramolecular oxidative cycloamination of olefins. These compounds, including surprisingly stable exo-methylene bicyclic aziridines, provide versatile synthetic entries into a wide range of pyrrolidine- and piperidine-containing heterocycles.     

Mechanical Force Induces Ylide‐Free Cycloaddition of Nonscissible Aziridines

The application of aziridines as nonvulnerable mechanophores is reported. Upon exposure to a mechanical force, stereochemically pure nonactivated aziridines incorporated into the backbone of a macromolecule do not undergo cis–trans isomerization, thus suggesting retention of the ring structure under force. Nonetheless, aziridines react with a dipolarophile and seem not to obey conventional reaction pathways that involve C?C or C?N bond cleavage prior to the cycloaddition. Our work demonstrates that a nonvulnerable chemical structure can be a mechanophore.     

Catalytic Enantioselective Aza‐Benzoin Reactions of Aldehydes with 2H‐Azirines

The unprecedented enantioselective aza‐benzoin reaction of aldehydes with 2H‐azirines was developed by utilizing a chiral N‐heterocyclic carbene as the catalyst. A wide range of corresponding aziridines can be obtained in good yields with high enantioselectivities. The obtained optically active aziridines should be useful in the synthesis of other valuable molecules.     

Mechanical Force Induces Ylide-Free Cycloaddition of Nonscissible Aziridines

The application of aziridines as nonvulnerable mechanophores is reported. Upon exposure to a mechanical force, stereochemically pure nonactivated aziridines incorporated into the backbone of a macromolecule do not undergo cis–trans isomerization, thus suggesting retention of the ring structure under force. Nonetheless, aziridines react with a dipolarophile and seem not to obey conventional reaction pathways that involve C−C or C−N bond cleavage prior to the cycloaddition. Our work demonstrates that a nonvulnerable chemical structure can be a mechanophore.     

Fluorinated heterocyclic compounds. An expedient route to 5-perfluoroalkyl-1,2,4-triazoles via an unusual hydrazinolysis of 5-perfluoroalkyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles: first examples of an ANRORC-like reaction in 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives

The hydrazinolysis reaction of 5-perfluoroalkyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles has been investigated. Nucleophilic addition of the reagent to the C(5)-N(4) double bond of the oxadiazole ring, followed by ring-opening and then ring-closure involving the beta-nitrogen atom of the hydrazino moiety and the C(3) of the oxadiazole ring, explains the formation of 5-perfluoroalkyl-1,2,4-triazoles as final products. Useful applications in synthesis of this uncommon hydrazinolysis can be claimed.     

Dimerization and isomerization reactions of alpha-lithiated terminal aziridines

The scope of dimerization and isomerization reactions of alpha-lithiated terminal aziridines is detailed. Regio- and stereoselective deprotonation of simple terminal aziridines with lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide (LTMP) or lithium dicyclohexylamide (LiNCy2) generates trans-alpha-lithiated terminal aziridines. These latter species can then undergo dimerization or isomerization reactions depending on the nature of the N-protecting group. alpha-Lithiated terminal aziridines bearing N-alkoxycarbonyl (Boc) protection undergo N- to C-[1,2] migration to give N-H trans-aziridinylesters. In contrast, aziridines bearing N-organosulfonyl [tert-butylsulfonyl (Bus)] protection undergo rapid dimerization to give 2-ene-1,4-diamines or, if a pendant alkene is present, diastereoselective cyclopropanation to give 2-aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes. All of these reactions were used as key steps in the preparation of synthetically and biologically important targets.     

A synthesis of 6-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes. The role of N-substitution

The intramolecular cyclization reactions of aziridines with pi-nucleophiles can be a useful route to a number of heterocyclic and carbocyclic ring systems. We were particularly interested in the use of this cyclization reaction for the synthesis of 6-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes. We report here the development of a new synthesis of the aziridine necessary for the aziridine--pi-nucleophile cyclization. We also report on the cyclization of aziridines with three different substitutions on the aziridine nitrogen. We have found that N-diphenylphospinyl and N-H aziridines, while participating in the initial ring-opening reaction, do not lead to the desired bicyclic ring systems. In contrast, a nosyl group on the aziridine nitrogen leads efficiently to the bicyclic ring system and can be readily deprotected.     

Chiral Aziridines—Their Synthesis and Use in Stereoselective Transformations

The preparation of enantiomerically pure compounds is one of the major areas of organic chemistry. Much emphasis is placed on the elaboration of naturally occurring starting materials and on the development of techniques for enantio-selective transformations of achiral substrates. In this field, chiral aziridines form an attractive class of compounds, since they are available in enantiomerically pure (or highly enriched) form by a variety of procedures and can be used for asymmetric synthesis in a number of different ways. The chemistry of aziridines is dominated by ring-opening reactions, the driving force for which is relief of ring strain. By suitable choice of sub-stituents on the carbon and nitrogen atoms, excellent stereo- and regiocontrol can be attained in ring-opening reactions with a wide variety of nucleophiles, including organometallic reagents; this makes chiral aziridines useful as substrates for the synthesis of important biologically active species including alkaloids, amino acids, and /Mactam antibiotics. Substrate-controlled diastereo-selective synthesis is also possible by use of aziridines as removable chiral auxiliaries, while metalation at a ring carbon atom allows aziridines to be used as chiral reagents for asymmetric synthesis. Chiral bisaziridines can act as ligands for transition metals, and applications in the challenging field of enantioselective catalysis can be envisioned. Today, the exclusion of three-membered carbo- and heterocycles from the arsenal of the organic chemist is inconceivable.

1 H. Heimgartner, Angew. Chem. 1991 , 103, 271; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 1991 , 30, 238.

     

One-pot synthesis of chiral multifunctionalized aziridines

A direct synthetic procedure to obtain chiral aziridines is reported, involving a diastereoselective aza-MIRC (Michael Initiated Ring Closure) reaction. Multifunctionalized aziridines are obtained in high overall yields (82-92%) and with a diastereomeric ratio up to 99:1. Further synthetic elaboration can lead to the formation of interesting biochemical molecules, such as amino glycosides. The diastereomeric induction seems to be strongly controlled both by the choice of chiral moiety and by the electron withdrawing groups (EWG) present on the starting alkenes.     

Highly selective aziridination of imines using trimethylsilyldiazomethane and applications of C-silylaziridines in synthesis

Trimethylsilyldiazomethane has been found to add directly to N-sulfonyl (Ts and SES) imines to afford aziridines in good yields and high cis stereoselectivities. The silyl group can be substituted by treatment with a fluoride source and electrophiles again with high selectivity. Complete regioselectivity is observed in ring opening of these aziridines with nucleophiles.     

Efficient Access to Chiral Trisubstituted Aziridines via Catalytic Enantioselective Aza‐Darzens Reactions

Herein, we report a Zn‐ProPhenol catalyzed aza‐Darzens reaction using chlorinated aromatic ketones as nucleophilic partners for the efficient and enantioselective construction of complex trisubstituted aziridines. The α‐chloro‐β‐aminoketone intermediates featuring a chlorinated tetrasubstituted stereocenter can be isolated in high yields and selectivities for further derivatization. Alternatively, they can be directly transformed to the corresponding aziridines in a one‐pot fashion. Of note, the reaction can be run on gram‐scale with low catalyst loading without impacting its efficiency. Moreover, this methodology was extended to α‐bromoketones which are scarcely used in enantioselective catalysis because of their sensitivity and lack of accessibility.     

非对称氮杂环丙烷的亲核开环反应及其区域选择性

本文系统地总结了各类亲核试剂对非对称氮杂环丙烷(吖丙啶)的亲核开环反应及开环的区域选择性.氮杂环丙烷亲核开环的区域选择性是一种空间效应和电子效应平衡的结果,非芳基和非烯基取代的氮杂环丙烷的亲核开环通常发生在氮杂环丙烷取代少的碳原子上,空间效应起主导作用;而芳基和烯基取代的氮杂环丙烷的亲核开环通常发生在氮杂环丙烷芳甲位和烯丙位的碳原子上,电子效应起主导作用,烯基取代的氮杂环丙烷的亲核开环还可以发生在烯基的β-碳原子上;分子内的亲核开环反应主要受成环时环大小的控制,成环时的倾向是五元环>六元环>七元环.对于亲核试剂,一般的亲核试剂也同时受电子效应和空间效应的影响; 而亲核性强的亲核试剂通常只受空间效应的影响.容易生成稳定自由基的亲核试剂容易发生单电子转移机理的开环反应,生成相当于亲核试剂进攻氮杂环丙烷中取代多的碳原子得到的开环产物.     

Aminals as substrates for sulfur ylides: a synthesis of functionalized aziridines and N-heterocycles

Sulfur ylides stabilized by Ar, vinyl, or amide groups react with five-membered-ring tert-butylsulfinyl aminals to give functionalized chiral, nonracemic aziridines in high yield and with good selectivities (up to 15:1 trans:cis, up to >95:5 trans dr, always >95:5 cis dr). The intermediate aziridines can be converted into pyrrolidines or piperidines depending on the reaction conditions.     

New insights into the mechanism of palladium-catalyzed allylic amination

A comparative investigation into palladium-catalyzed allylic amination of unsubstituted aziridines and secondary amines has been carried out. The use of NH aziridines as nucleophiles favors formation of valuable branched products in the case of aliphatic allyl acetates. The regioselectivity of this reaction is opposite to that observed when other amines are used as nucleophiles. Our study provides evidence for the palladium-catalyzed isomerization of the branched (kinetic) product formed with common secondary amines into the thermodynamic (linear) product. In contrast, the branched allyl products obtained from unsubstituted aziridines do not undergo the isomerization process. Crossover experiments indicate that the isomerization of branched allylamines is bimolecular and is catalyzed by Pd(0). The reaction has significant solvent effect, giving the highest branched-to-linear ratios in THF. This finding can be explained by invoking the intermediacy of sigma-complexes, which is consistent with NMR data. The apparent stability of branched allyl aziridines towards palladium-catalyzed isomerization is attributed to a combination of factors that stem from a higher degree of s-character of the aziridine nitrogen compared to other amines. The reaction allows for regio- and enantioselective incorporation of aziridine rings into appropriately functionalized building blocks. The resulting methodology addresses an important issue of forming quaternary carbon centers next to nitrogen. The new insights into the mechanism of palladium-catalyzed allylic amination obtained in this study should facilitate synthesis of complex heterocycles, design of new ligands to control branched-to-linear ratio, as well as absolute stereochemistry of allylamines.     

Transition metal-catalyzed synthesis and reactivity of N-alkenyl aziridines

[reaction: see text] Straightforward methods for palladium-catalyzed alkenylation of aziridines with alkenyl halides and copper-catalyzed alkenylation of aziridines with alkenyl boronic acids have been developed. This methodology offers attractive alternatives to the known methods requiring activated alkenyl halides and acetylenes. A wide variety of N-alkenyl aziridines containing substituents other than electron-withdrawing substituents such as cyano groups and sulfones have been synthesized in good yields. Furthermore, these N-alkenyl aziridines exhibit quite a different reactivity from conventional enamines, as demonstrated by their reactivity.     

Phase transfer catalyzed aziridination of α-bromo-2-cyclopenten-1-one

An efficient and highly selective synthesis of bicyclic-α-keto aziridines from 2-bromo-2-cyclopentenone and aliphatic primary amines mediated by phase transfer catalysts (PTCs) in water at room temperature is demonstrated. Bicyclic-α-keto-aziridines are highly strained and reactive compounds that can be used in the synthesis of biologically active compounds. Therefore, the present strategy with its mild reaction conditions opens up a new entry to the synthesis of unusual aziridines using inexpensive reagents.     

Novel ozone-mediated cleavage of the benzhydryl protecting group from aziridinyl esters

[reaction: see text]. N-Benzhydryl aziridines-2-carboxylates can be readily obtained from the catalytic asymmetric aziridination reaction from N-benzhydrylimines and ethyl diazoacetate. Cleavage of the benzhydryl group by hydrogenolysis leads to ring opening when R = aryl. Surprisingly, ozone will selectively oxidize the benhydryl group in these aziridines even when R is an aryl group. This allows for a new deprotection strategy for these aziridines whose generality is explored.     

Synthesis and reactivity of non-activated 2-(chloromethyl)aziridines

An efficient synthesis of non-activated 2-(chloromethyl)aziridines and 2-chloromethyl-2-methylaziridines as new representatives of the class of 2-(halomethyl)aziridines was developed. Furthermore, the reactivity of these azaheterocycles was assessed and compared to that of their brominated counterparts, pointing to a similar profile for 2-(chloromethyl)aziridines and 2-(bromomethyl)aziridines on the one hand, and a different behaviour of 2-chloromethyl-2-methylaziridines versus 2-bromomethyl-2-methylaziridines concerning their aptitude towards ring expansion to azetidines on the other hand.