Copper(II) triflate promoted cycloaddition of α-alkyl or aryl substituted N-tosylaziridines with nitriles: a highly efficient synthesis of substituted imidazolines

Cu(OTf)2 or Zn(OTf)2 mediated [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of various α-alkyl or aryl substituted N-tosylaziridines with nitriles is described for the syntheses of substituted imidazolines. A mechanism for the cycloaddition is proposed to rationalize the formation of a nonracemic imidazoline from optically pure aziridine.