Metal-catalyzed aziridination of alkenes by organic azides: A
mechanistic DFT investigation
Abstract
This DFT study treats thermal metal-catalyzed alkene aziridination by
azides, where the catalysts are copper(II) triflate, cobalt(II) porphin
and ruthenium(II) porphin. Three azides RN3 (R = H, Me, Ac) react with
alkene substrates in the presence of these catalysts leading to
aziridine formation by a two-step catalysed mechanism. In Step I, the
azide reacts with the catalyst to first form a metal nitrenoid via
transition state TS1. The Ru(porph) catalyst is particularly effective
for Step I. In Step II, the metal nitrenoid adds to the alkene via TS2
giving the aziridine product. Cu(trfl)2 is most effective as a catalyst
for Step II. The facility order H > Me > Ac
(with respect to the azide R group) holds for Step I, and the reverse
order for Step II. Transition states TS1 and TS2 are described as
“early” and “late”, respectively, in good accord with Hammond’s
postulate.