Room temperature activation of aryloxysulfonyl azides by [Co(II)(TPP)] for selective radical aziridination of alkenes via metalloradical catalysis

Aryloxysulfonyl azides can be effectively activated by commercially available cobalt(II) complex of meso-tetraphenylporphyrin ([Co(TPP)]) at room temperature under neutral and nonoxidative conditions for selective radical aziridination of alkenes via metalloradical catalysis. The [Co(TPP)]-catalyzed radical aziridination system is suitable for different combinations of olefin substrates and aryloxysulfonyl azides, producing various N-aryloxysulfonyl aziridine derivatives in good to excellent yields. In addition to generating the environmentally benign N-2 as the only byproduct, this Co(II)-based metalloradical aziridination process features mild reaction conditions and operational simplicity. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.