1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides generated from aziridines in supercritical carbon dioxide

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with DMAD in supercritical carbon dioxide is reported. The photolysis reaction conditions were optimized with a suitable adjustment of pressure, temperature, irradiation time and co-solvent concentration leading to a more efficient reaction than in neat acetonitrile. Similar results were observed using thermal reaction conditions. Supercritical carbon dioxide with a minute co-solvent addition is shown to be a very efficient medium for promoting this type of cycloadditions.