Novel aziridination of α-halo ketones: an efficient nucleophile-induced cyclization of phosphoramidates to functionalized aziridines

A novel and efficient aziridination of α-halo ketones is reported. The reaction of α-halo ketones with diethyl N-arylphosphoramidates affords diethyl N-aryl-N-(2-oxoalkyl)phosphoramidates which undergo reductive (H−-induced) cyclization with sodium borohydride followed by sodium hydride to give 1,2-disubstituted and 1,2,3-trisubstituted aziridines. The cyclization induced by NCS− or PhS− affords substituted aziridines functionalized at C-2. The reactions give excellent yields and are highly diastereoselective in favour of cis aziridines.