Generation and electrophilic substitution reactions of 3-lithio-2-methyleneaziridines

2-Methyleneaziridinyl anions can be produced by selective deprotonation of the parent aziridine at C-3 using sec-BuLi/TMEDA. Subsequent reaction with a wide variety of electrophiles including MeI, ICH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl, PhCH₂Br, allyl bromide, Me₃SiCl, Bu₃SnCl, PhCHO and Ph₂CO provides the corresponding C-3 substituted derivatives in moderate to good yields (43-91%). In the case of homochiral methyleneaziridines bearing an (S)-α-methylbenzyl group on nitrogen, high levels of diastereocontrol (up to 90%de) can be achieved in this lithiation/alkylation sequence.