Iron-catalyzed aziridination reactions

A small quantity of iron(II) triflate (2.5 to 5 mol%) catalyzes the aziridination reactions of enol silyl ethers with tosylimino(iodo)benzenw (PhINTs) in acetonitrile to give alpha-N-tosylamido ketones by subsequent aziridine ring opening. Olefins are converted into aziridines by 5 mol% of this catalyst system. Both reactions afford the corresponding products in moderate to good yields. In the presence of chiral ligands asymmetric aziridinations have been achieved.