2-Ethynylaziridines as Chiral Carbon Nucleophiles:  Stereoselective Synthesis of 1,3-Amino Alcohols with Three Stereocenters via Allenylindium Reagents Bearing a Protected Amino Group

Allenylindium reagents bearing a protected amino group were effectively prepared from N-protected 3-alkyl-2-ethynylaziridines by treatment with InI in the presence of Pd(PPh(3))(4) and H(2)O. Stereoselective addition of the allenylindium to aliphatic or aromatic aldehydes affords 1,3-amino alcohols bearing three contiguous chiral centers: while 2,3-trans-2-ethynylaziridines yield syn,syn-2-ethynyl-1,3-amino alcohols predominantly, 2,3-cis-aziridines give anti,syn isomers selectively. Synthesis of highly substituted ethynylazetidines is also described.