Regioselective ring opening of 2-methylaziridine derivatives with 18F- and 19F-fluoride

Regioselectivity of the nucleophilic ring opening of N-benzoyl (Bz) and N-benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz) activated 2-methylaziridines with anhydrous tetramethylammonium fluoride, anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, and 19F or [18F]-labelled potassium cryptand fluoride ([K222][18/19F]) were investigated. Whereas all reactions with rigorously anhydrous N(CH3)4F did not ring-open the aziridines, reactions with anhydrous HF exclusively yielded the 2-fluoropropanamine derivatives. Reactions of Bz-protected and Cbz-protected 2-methylaziridine with [K222][18/19F] yielded the 2-fluoropropanamine and 1-fluoro-2-propanamine derivatives as the major products, respectively, and represents the first example of regiocontrol during ring opening of aziridines with [18F]-fluoride.