Diamine ligands aziridination

Tanner et al. (58) investigated the asymmetric aziridination of styrene using bis(aziridines) such as 85. Low induction is observed with these ligands, Eq. 64. A significant electronic effect was noted with the p-fluoro-phenyl substituted bis(az-iridine) 85c (59). A binaphthyl-derived diamine was used as a ligand for the copper-catalyzed aziridination of dihydronaphthalene (81). The product was formed in 21% ee and 40% yield, Eq. 65. Other structurally related ligands proved to be less selective in this reaction. 

Extensive optimization studies identified highly electron-deficient 2,4-dinitrobenzyl-substituted aziridines as the most reactive substrates, chromium as the metal of choice, and indanol-derived Schiff bases as the most effective ligands. In this ring-opening process, catalyst 61 provided the highest selectivities. Using these optimized conditions, a variety of aziridines were selectively opened in a very efficient manner (Scheme 17.21).51 This reaction can provide an easy access to C2-symmetric 1,2-diamines, a valuable class of chiral auxiliaries, and even to less accessible non-C2-symmetric 1,2-diamines because of the differentially protected amines of the ring-opened products. 

Experimental observations of the aziridination of styrene-type alkenes, catalyzed by CuPF6 in the presence of chiral diimine ligands (such as (lR,2R,A i4A i4)-A A -bis(2,6-dichlorobenzylidene)cyclohexane-l,2-diamine 425), have been taken as evidence of the intermediacy of a discrete, monomeric Cu(lll)-nitrene complex, (diimine)Cu=NTs 423. Variation of the steric properties of the aryl group in the oxidant TsN=IAr (Ar = Ph, 2-/-Bu, 5,6-Me3C6H) has no effect on the enantioselectivities in forming the aziridination products 424 (Scheme 108) <1995JA5889>. 

Diamines are another highly useful class of molecules with potent biological activity and use as synthetic intermediates and metal ligands. The ring-opening reactions of aziridines with amines and azide provides a facile route for the synthesis of 1,2-diamines. 

This methodology has also been employed for the preparation of tetradentate ligands by exchanging the primary amines for C2-symmetric primary diamines (eq 4). For example, from (/ ,/ -1,2-diamino-1,2-diphenylethane, diastereomeric ligand B was obtained in 84% yield. These aromatic amines are sufficiently reactive to open the aziridine ring. Due to steric hindrance, no further reaction of the secondary amine moieties with (5)-A -trifluoromethylsulfonyl-2-isopropylaziridine was observed. This tetradentate ligand was inferior to his(sulfonamides) as catalyst... 

Bicyclic meso-N-ary aziridines are ring-opened by anilines, giving trans-1,2-diamines in the presence of a Ti(0-Bu-t)4/(l )-BlN0L catalyst in CH2Cl2." The reactions occur in yields between 65 and 96% with 57-99% ee. Lower enantioselectivities were found when electron-withdrawing and orifto-substituents were on the aniline. Alkyl amines failed to react. ESI-MS experiments indicate that the catalyst contains two titanium and two linked bis-BINOL ligands. 

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