Tandem Epoxide or Aziridine Ring Opening by Azide/Copper Catalyzed [3+2] Cycloaddition: Efficient Synthesis of 1,2,3-Triazolo β-Hydroxy or β-Tosylamino Functionality Motif

A novel and practical procedure for the synthesis of small molecules possessing beta-hydroxy or N-tosylamino 1,2,3-triazole motif by azidation of epoxides or N-tosylaziridines with sodium azide followed by "click reaction" using eco-friendly PEG-400 as a reaction medium in the presence of 5 mol % of CuI is described. Enantiomerically pure epoxide and N-tosylaziridines were afforded in high yield with excellent ee values maintaining complete stereospecificity.