title: Asymmetric synthesis of aziridines by reduction of N-tert-butanesulfinyl alpha-chloro imines.
abstract: Reduction of (RS)-N-tert-butanesulfinyl alpha-halo imines afforded chiral aziridines in good to excellent yields. Upon reduction of (RS)-N-tert-butanesulfinyl alpha-halo imines with NaBH4 in THF, in the presence of 10 equiv of MeOH, (RS,S)-beta-halo sulfinamides were formed in excellent yield (up to 98%) with very good stereoselectivity (>98:2). Simple treatment of the latter (RS,S)-beta-halo-tert-butanesulfinamides with KOH afforded the corresponding (RS,S)-N-(tert-butylsulfinyl)aziridines in quantitative yields. On the contrary, its epimer, (RS,R)-N-(tert-butylsulfinyl)aziridine was synthesized by switchover of the reducing agent from NaBH4 to LiBHEt3. (RS,R)-N-(tert-Butylsulfinyl)aziridines were synthesized in good yields (up to 85%) and diastereoselectivity (up to 92:8) by reduction of (RS)-N-tert-butanesulfinyl alpha-halo imines with LiBHEt3 in dry THF and subsequent treatment with KOH. All chiral aziridines were obtained as a single diastereomer after recrystallization (overall yield up to 91%) or after flash chromatography.
authors.affiliation: Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Bram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Denolf
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leemans
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: De Kimpe
mesh_terms: D002625:Chemistry, Organic / Q000379:methods*; D003460:Crystallization; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000737:chemistry; D007097:Imines / Q000737:chemistry*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D015394:Molecular Structure; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013452:Sulfonium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007097:Imines; D013452:Sulfonium Compounds