Lithiation of <i>N</i>-Alkyl-(<i>o</i>-tolyl)aziridine: Stereoselective Synthesis of Isochromans

The lithiation reaction of o-tolylaziridine 1 has been investigated by using the aziridine ring capability to act as a directing metalation group. Trapped with electrophiles, the resulting o-aziridinyl benzyllithium 1-Li gives access to several functionalized aziridines 2a−j. The hydroxyalkylated derivatives 2d−j were converted into important scaffolds such as isochromans 3a−d. A stereoselective preparation of isochromans (R)-3b, (1R,3S)-3d, and (1R,3R)-3d has been developed starting from enantioenriched o-tolylaziridine.