Remarkably efficient olefin aziridination mediated by a new copper(II) complex

The structurally characterized copper complex [(i-Pr(3)TACN)Cu(O2CCF3)(2)] (1) mediates nitrene transfer from PhINTs to olefins to form N-tosylaziridi nes in good to excellent yields, in catalytic amounts (0.5 mol %) 1 order o f magnitude less than is required for other copper catalysts, such as [Cu(a cac)(2)]. Nitrene transfer reactivity has also been observed with substitut ed styrenes, internal and terminal aliphatic olefins, and sulfides, suggest ing that 1 may be a general nitrene transfer catalyst for use on organic sy nthesis.