Recent developments in asymmetric aziridination

Graphical abstractThis review is intended to update the most recent developments of asymmetric aziridination in numerous reaction types, such as nitrene transfer to alkenes, carbene transfer to imines, cyclisation reactions, aza-Darzens reactions, ylide-mediated aziridinations and miscellaneous reactions, covering the literature from 2003 to 2009. In addition to the development of a great number of aziridinations based on the use of chiral auxiliaries, the spectacular expansion of novel chiral catalysts, including the especially attractive chiral organocatalysts, is well illustrated.This review clearly demonstrates the diversity and power of asymmetric aziridination in the field of synthetic organic chemistry.Download full-size image