Indium triflate catalyzed reaction of diisopropyl diazomethylphosphonate with imines as a new approach to cis- and trans-aziridine-2-phosphonates

A new and efficient synthesis of cis- and trans-aziridine-2-phosphonates by metal-catalyzed aziridination reaction of diisopropyl diazomethylphosphonate and substituted aryl imines is reported. By exploring the influence of different Lewis acids employed as catalysts, imine nitrogen substituents, and the solvent effects we conclude that the best results are obtained when N-diphenylmethyl-substituted benzylimines are reacted with diisopropyl diazomethylphosphonate in methylene chloride at 0 °C in the presence of In(OTf)3 as catalyst.