A CONVENIENT SYNTHESIS OF AZIRIDINE-2-CARBOXYLIC ESTERS

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.