Enantioselective Reaction of 2H-Azirines with Oxazol-5-(4H)-ones Catalyzed by Cinchona Alkaloid Sulfonamide Catalysts

The enantioselective reaction of 2H-azirines with oxazol-5-(4H)-ones (oxazolones) using a cinchona alkaloid sulfonamide catalyst has been developed. The reaction proceeded at the C-2 position of oxazolones to afford products with consecutive tetrasubstituted stereogenic centers in high yield with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity. The obtained aziridines were converted into various chiral compounds without loss of enantiopurity.