Transformation of trans-4-aryl-3-chloro-1-(2-chloroethyl)azetidin-2-ones into 3-aryl-2-(ethylamino)propan-1-ols via intermediate 1-(1-aryl-2-chloro-3-hydroxypropyl)aziridines and trans-2-aryl-3-(hydroxymethyl)aziridines

trans-4-Aryl-3-chloro-1-(2-chloroethyl)azetidin-2-ones, prepared through cyclocondensation of chloroketene and the appropriate imines in a diastereoselective way, were unexpectedly transformed into 3-aryl-2-(ethylamino)propan-1-ols using LiAlH4 in THF under reflux. A stepwise analysis showed that the initially formed 1-(1-aryl-2-chloro-3-hydroxypropyl)aziridines were converted into trans-2-aryl-3-(hydroxymethyl)aziridines, most probably via N-spiro bis-aziridinium intermediates, which were subsequently prone to undergo ring opening by LiAlH4 to afford 3-aryl-2-(ethylamino)propan-1-ols