Copper-homoscorpionate complexes as very active catalysts for the olefin aziridination reaction

A series of complexes Tp(x)Cu (Tp(x) = homoscorpionate ligand) have been tested as the catalysts for the olefin aziridination reaction using PhINTs as the nitrene source. Very high yields of aziridines have been obtained with a group of representative substrates, including nonactivated terminal olefins. The high activity of these catalysts has allowed the use of equimolar amounts of PhINTs and olefins, avoiding the requirement of excess olefin. In an effort to eliminate nondesired byproducts, chloramine-T has been employed as the nitrene source, in a reaction that produces sodium chloride as the sole residue, with high degrees of conversions also being obtained.