Ring Opening/C–N Cyclization of Activated Aziridines with Carbon Nucleophiles: Highly Diastereo- and Enantioselective Synthesis of Tetrahydroquinolines

A simple strategy for the synthesis of substituted tetrahydroquinolines through regio- and stereoselective ring opening of N-tosyl aziridines with carbon nucleophiles generated from 2-(bromoaryl)acetonitriles followed by palladium-catalyzed intramolecular C–N cyclization is reported in excellent yields (up to >99%) and stereoselectivity (ee and de up to >99%).