Synthesis and lithiation of oxazolinylaziridines: the N-substituent effect

The preparation of N-substituted oxazolinylaziridines and their deprotonation to afford the corresponding aziridinyllithiums is described. The chemical and configurational stability of the lithiated species depends on the N-substituent on the aziridine ring. The trapping with carbonyl compounds of (R*,S*) configurated oxazolinylaziridines is an interesting route for the preparation of functionalised α,β-aziridino-γ-lactones.