A new convenient synthesis of a-cyanoaziridines was developed by reaction of a-halo ketimines with cyanide in methanol or acetonitrile. Tertiary a-chloro ketimines with cyanide in methanol gave rise to a competitive reaction between a-cyanoaziridine formation and production of 1-(alkylamino) cyclopropanecarbonitriles, the latter being classified as a Favorskii rearrangement-type product. The scope and limitations of this reaction have ...
