Synthesis of 15N-labeled vicinal diamines through N-activated chiral aziridines: tools for the NMR study of platinum-based anticancer compounds

A new method for the synthesis of N-15-labeled chiral beta-diamines from a common precursor, either optically pure amino acids or anti-beta-amino alcohols, is reported. The two diastereomeric series of vicinal diamines are produced through the nucleophilic ring opening of activated chiral aziridines. N-15 was introduced by means of [N-15]-benzylamine, prepared from (NH4Cl)-N-15. The final compounds are highly valuable because [H-1-N-15] NMR is considered a powerful tool for studying the chemical properties of platinum-based complexes. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.