Aziridinations of tethered allenes

This thesis describes the synthesis and reactivity of previously unprecedented bicyclic methylene aziridines via rhodium(II) catalysed cyclisation of α-allenic N-tosyloxycarbamates. These aziridines undergo reaction with organocuprates to give cis- disubstituted oxazolidinones by nucleophillic attack at the vinylic centre; plausible mechanisms for this process are discussed.Similar rhodium(II) catalysed cyclisations of β-allenic sulfamates afford cyclic enamines, aminocyclopropanes or bicyclic methylene aziridines; the product ratio depends on the allene substitution pattern. Suitably-designed substrates undergo trapping of the proposed intermediate amino allyl cation by internal nucleophiles or by cycloaddition.Finally, thermally-induced intramolecular cycloadditions of γ-allenic azides are described that give triazolines or [1,2,3]-triazoles.