Direct -Me Aziridination of Enones

The first direct general method for Me aziridination of electron-deficient olefins, enones, is described using -methyl--tosylhydroxylamine as the aminating agent in the presence of a Cu(OTf) catalyst. The aziridination of vinyl ketones, hitherto unknown for -Me as well as -H, has been achieved efficiently. The open-flask reaction is stereospecific, operationally simple, and additive-free. It also efficiently affords -H aziridinated products under a similar reaction condition.