New methods for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds

Due to frequent occurrence of nitrogen-containing groups among the biologically active compounds, chemoselective functionalization of organic molecules with nitrogen-containing functional groups is an important area of organic synthesis. We have proposed and implemented a new strategy toward design of nitrogen-transfer reactions on inert electrode surfaces with a particular focus on the generation and trapping of highly reactive nitrogen-transfer agents. A wide range of structurally dissimilar olefins can be readily transformed into the corresponding aziridines. The resulting aziridines are precursors to a range of catalysts via nucleophilic ring-opening with diaryl- and dialkyl phosphines. Another strategy explored in the context of oxidative nitrogen transfer is cycloamination of olefins using NH aziridines.