UNNATURAL AMINO ACIDS. 2*. SIMPLE METHOD OF OBTAINING ESTERS OF AZIRIDINE-2-CARBOXYLIC ACIDS BY A TRANSESTERIFICATION REACTION

A series of N-unsubstituted esters of aziridine-2-carboxylic acid has been obtained by transesterification in basic medium using primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols. Methods of transesterification using various bases (K2CO3, ROLi, t-BuOK) have been compared. Transesterification with lithium alcoholates also affords the possibility of obtaining esters of N-substituted aziridine-2-carboxylic acids. Transesterification of chiral esters proceeds with retention of the configuration of the chiral center.