Dimerization of Lithiated Terminal Aziridines

Significance

The authors developed a simple and useful protocol for the preparation of chiral functionalized 1,4-diamines starting from readily available chiral aziridines. The 1,4-diamine framework is a widespread feature of many natural and synthetic biologically active compounds, such as for instance, pharmacologically important enzyme inhibitors. The reaction is highly stereoselective (only the E-isomer is formed) providing the products in high yield.