Reactions of Aziridines with Ring Expansion

The review gives a systematic account of the literature on the reactions of aziridines with the expansion of the three-membered ring by intramolecular and intermolecular cyclisation mechanisms. The intermolecular interaction of aziridines with aldehydes and ketones, CO₂ COS, and CS₂, and with isocyanates and isothiocyanates with formation of five-membered heterocyclic compounds (oxazolidines, thiazolidinones, thiazolidinethiones, imidazolidinones, and others) is discussed. The isomerisation of N-vinyl and N-acyl derivatives to the corresponding pyrrolines, oxazolines, and other five-membered heterocyclic compounds as well as dimerisation reactions of aziridines and their interaction with epoxy ethylene and nitrones are discussed. The bibliography includes 88 references.