Reactions of N-acylaziridines with sodium metal and sodium naphthalenide. Elimination of olefines

Reactions of N-acylaziridines 1a-g (N-benzoyl except 1d) with sodium or naphthalenide N^.- in THF provide a variety of products that usually arise via the aziridino ketyls 2. Homolytic ring opening of 2 generates the amidatoalkyl radicals 3. Only with a very short reaction time were small amounts of benzil or benzoylnaphthalenes obtained indicating a reversible trapping of 2 by dimerization or coupling with N^.-. Homolysis of 2 produced always the more stable 3 apart from reactions of monomethylaziridines 1c,d where the primary radical i-3c,d is kinetically favoured. The amides R¹CONHCHR⁴CHR²R³ (9, isopropylamides i-9c,d from 1c,d) were usually the main products. 9 arise from 3 either by H atom abstraction from THF (probably in sodium metal runs) or by reduction of 3 to carbanions 5 that abstract a proton from THF (N^.- runs). Addition of 5a (R^2-4 = H) to 1a gives finally the ketone 8a. Self reaction of primary radical 3a is dimerization. Self reaction of tertiary or secondary radicals is disproportionation when an allylamide arises. This isomerizes to an enamide unless it is conjugated. R²R³C=CHR⁴ and R¹CONH₂ arise (probably) always. The mechanism, possibly a cyclic process of anion 6, is not clear.