Asymmetric meso-aziridine ring-opening reactions using a chiral zirconium catalyst

Abstract

A chiral zirconium catalyst prepared from Zr(O^tBu)₄ and a chiral tridentate BINOL was found to be effective for asymmetric meso-aziridine ring-opening reactions with aniline derivatives. The N-benzhydryl group on the product obtained was easily cleaved to give the corresponding amine in high yield under reductive conditions.