Synthesis and Application of Bioactive N-Functionalized Aziridines

Area of Science:

• Organic Chemistry
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Synthetic Chemistry

Background:

• Aziridines, strained three-membered nitrogen heterocycles, are uncommon in bioactive natural products.
• Developing efficient aziridine synthesis is vital for creating novel bioactive small molecules.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review modern synthetic strategies for aziridine construction.
• To emphasize methods enabling modular control over nitrogen valence and biological activity.
• To discuss current and future applications of aziridine-containing molecules.

Main Methods:

• Categorization of synthetic methods based on ring assembly logic: nitrene addition to olefins, carbene addition to imines, and intramolecular cyclizations.
• Focus on methods offering modular control over exocyclic nitrogen valence.
• Review of established and emerging biological applications.

Main Results:

• Comprehensive overview of contemporary aziridine synthesis techniques.
• Demonstration of how nitrogen valence influences aziridine electrophilicity and biological activity.
• Exploration of aziridine utility in proteomics and lipidomics.

Conclusions:

• Modern synthetic strategies provide versatile routes to aziridines with tunable properties.
• Aziridine-containing molecules show promise in chemical biology applications.
• Further synthetic advancements are needed to fully exploit aziridine potential.