Wittig rearrangement aziridine synthesis

The aza-[2,3] Wittig rearrangement of aziridines is an excellent method for the synthesis of substituted piperidines. The analogous reaction of an epoxide has recently been examined <06TL7281>. Reaction of divinyl epoxide 48 with /-butyl diazo acetate provides the ylide intermediate 49, which then undergoes the [2,3] Wittig rearrangement to 50, Several catalysts were examined as catalysts for the formation of 49. It is noteworthy that the copper catalyst performed much better than the more widely used rhodium catalysts. 

Reviews have featured epoxidation, cyclopropanation, aziridination, olefination, and rearrangement reactions of asymmetric ylides 66 non-phosphorus stabilized carbanions in alkene synthesis 67 phosphorus ylides and related compounds 68 the Wittig reaction 69,70 and [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement of a-phosphonylated sulfonium and ammonium ylides.71 Reactions of carbanions with electrophilic reagents, including alkylation and Wittig-Homer olefination reactions, have been discussed with reference to Hammett per correlations.72... 

SCHEME 17.13. Enantioselective synthesis of (—)-indolizidines 209B 57 and 209D 58 by an aza-[2,3]-Wittig rearrangement ring expansion of aziridine 55. 

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