[reaction: see text] Biologically important N-beta-hydroxyethylaziridine intermediates were conveniently prepared by regioselective ring-opening reactions of diversely substituted epoxides. Ethyleneimine generated in situ under basic conditions from beta-chloroethylamine was used as a nucleophile to open the epoxides in an aqueous environment.
Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and the Purdue Cancer Center, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA.