INDIUM MEDIATED ALLYLATION OF N-tert-BUTANESULFINYL IMINES WITH 1,3-DIBROMOPROPENE: STEREOSELECTIVE SYNTHESIS OF AZIRIDINES

The reaction of N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines 1 with 1,3-dibromopropene (2), in the presence of indium metal, in saturated aqueous solution of sodium bromide, produced bromohomoallylamine derivatives 3 with total facial diastereoselectivity for the imine addition, and moderate yields. These compounds were easily transformed into the corresponding vinyl aziridines 5 upon deprotonation with KHMDS in THF, the intramolecular cyclization taking place in a stereospecific manner in moderate to high yields.