REACTION OF 2,3-DISUBSTITUTED-N-ARYLSULFONYLAZIRIDINES WITH ISOCYANATES IN PRESENCE OF SODIUM-IODIDE - STEREOSPECIFIC CONVERSION OF N-ARYLSULFONYLAZIRIDINES TO IMIDAZOLIDINONES

The reaction of 2,3-disubstituted arylsulfonylaziridines with isocyanates in presence of sodium iodide yielding 4,5-disubstituted-2-imidazolidinones is somewhat specific rather than a general reaction, but whenever the reaction occurs, it does so in a totally stereospecific manner where imidazolidinones produced have the same geometric configuration as that of the starting aziridines. The yield of the imidazolidinones varies (0 to 60%) depending on the nature of the substituent on the aziridine ring carbon as well as their geometry.