A convenient synthesis of aziridine-2-carboxylic esters

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/recl.19921110101

Optically active oxirane-2-carboxylic esters, prepared from allylic alcohols employing the Sharpless epoxidation, were treated with sodium azide.The azido alcohols obtained were subsequently converted into aziridine-2-carboxylic esters by reaction with triphenylphosphine, in good yields and with high optical purity.Various racemic oxirane-2-carboxylic esters were subjected to the same sequence of reactions.