Synthesis, characterization, and nucleophilic ring opening reactions of cyclohexyl-substituted β-haloamines and aziridinium ions

Cyclohexyl-substituted β-haloamines and aziridinium ions were prepared and characterized. Stereospecific ring opening of aziridinium ions was applied for efficient synthesis of vicinal amine, β-amino acid, and tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) analogues. Nucleophilic ring opening reactions of aziridinium ions and N-protected aziridine analogues were for the first time comparatively studied. The result of nucleophilic reactions clearly indicates that aziridinium ions were significantly more reactive toward nucleophilic ring opening than the aziridine analogues.