Catalytic asymmetric ring openings of meso and terminal aziridines with halides mediated by chiral 1,2,3-triazolium silicates.

Catalytic asymmetric chloride and bromide ring openings of meso aziridines with trimethylsilyl halides have been developed using modular chiral 1,2,3-triazolium chlorides as catalysts. Control experiments suggest the reaction pathway involving hypervalent silicate ions as reactive intermediates. The application of this system to the efficient kinetic resolution of terminal aziridines is also reported.