An efficient enantioselective synthesis of florfenicol via asymmetric aziridination

An efficient enantioselective synthesis of florfenicol is accomplished in 44.7% overall yield from commercially available p-(methylsulfonyl)benzaldehyde. Key features of this synthesis are the asymmetric aziridination reaction mediated by the Wulff’s catalyst in situ derived from (R)-VANOL and diastereoselectively ring-opening of (2S,3S)-fluoroaziridine 13.