The iron Lewis acid,[(η5-C5H5) Fe (CO) 2 (THF)]+[BF4]-, was found to be an effective catalyst for the preparation of aziridines. This new method provides a facile, one-step route to predominantly cis-aziridines, with yields up to 95%, from compounds with a diazo functionality and a variety of substituted N-benzylidene imines with N-aryl or N-alkyl groups. The reaction mechanism is believed to proceed through an electrophilic iminium ion ...
