A practical regioselective ring-opening of activated aziridines with organoalanes

The regioselective ring-opening of N-protected 2-phenylaziridines is accomplished by the addition of organoalanes in dichloromethane. With this simple method it is possible to introduce alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl substituents at the benzylic position of the phenylaziridine to give the corresponding β-phenyl-β-substituted amines, as useful precursors for intramolecular hydroaminations, in high yields.