Preparation and Reactivity of Versatile α-Amino Ketones

Many challenges of chemoselectivity arise from the requirement to manipulate incompatible functional
groups. Synthetic methods that do not rely on protecting groups are of strategic significance to chemical
synthesis. Particularly valuable are molecules with reactive functionalities that are kinetically stabilized
against inter- or intramolecular reactions with each other. We have developed a simple access to molecules
that contain both ketone and N−H aziridine functionalities. These compounds were found to undergo
highly selective reduction and carbonyl addition reactions, making them versatile precursors to complex
amines.