A general and efficient synthesis of allenes using a palladium(0)/diethylzinc system is described. Treatment of mesylates or trichloroacetates of (E)- or (Z)-2-bromoalk-2-en-1-ols with diethylzinc in the presence of a catalytic amount of palladium(0) affords allenes bearing an aminoalkyl, alkyl, or aryl substituent(s) in good to high yields. No transfer of chirality from the stereogenic center carrying
Two convenient methods for the synthesis of chiral 2-ethynylaziridines from natural α-amino acids are described. Sodium hydride-promoted aziridination of mesylates of 4-arylsulfonylamino-2-bromoalk-2-en-1-ols yields trans-2-(1-bromovinyl)aziridines in a highly stereoselective manner, and subsequent dehydrobromination of the aziridines by potassium tert-butoxide gives separable stereoisomeric mixtures