Facile synthesis of aziridines from imines and diazoesters or aldehydes, amines, and diazoesters using a catalytic amount of lanthanide triflate

In the presence of a catalytic amount of lanthanide triflate (Ln(OTf)(3)), imines reacted with ethyl diazoester in hexane at room temperature to afford the corresponding aziridines in high yields with high diastereoselectivities. Based on these reactions, three-component reactions of various types of aldehydes, an amine, and ethyl diazoester have been developed to provide a general efficient route to aziridine derivatives.