Synthesis of optically active trifluoromethyl substituted diaziridines and oxaziridines

(E)-Trifluoromethyl imines were considered as ideal substrates to be transformed into the corresponding diaziridines by a direct amination reaction with nosyloxycarbamates. The diastereoselective induction was strongly controlled by the N-substituent. Similar results were obtained in the epoxidation reactions performed on the same substrates using m-CPBA as oxidant. Starting from enantiopure imines chiral diaziridines or oxaziridines were obtained with very high enantiopurity.