Lewis acid promoted highly stereoselective rearrangement of 2,3-aziridino alcohols: a new efficient approach to beta-amino carbonyl compounds.

A new Lewis acid promoted rearrangement reaction of 2,3-aziridino alcohols was discovered, which involved the highly stereoselective construction of a diastereogenic quaternary carbon center and efficient formation of beta-amino carbonyl compounds in excellent yields. A wide variety of Lewis acids were proved to be effective for the reaction, and a possible reaction mechanism was also discussed.