Aldimines (generated in situ from aldehydes and amines) react
readily with ethyl diazoacetate in the presence of 2 mol% of Bi(OTf)3 or
5 mol% of Sc(OTf)3 in [bmim]PF6 ionic
liquid to produce the corresponding aryl aziridine carboxylates
in high yields with excellent cis-diastereoselectivity.
The recovered ionic liquid containing catalyst was reused in three
to four subsequent runs with gradual decrease in activity.
aldimines - aziridine carboxylates - metal
triflates - ionic liquids (ILs)