Directed ortho lithiation of N-alkylphenylaziridines.

The ortho lithiation-trapping sequence of phenylaziridines is described. This methodology, which counts on the ability of the aziridino group to act as a directed metalation group (DMG), provides an easy access to functionalized arylaziridines as well as to phthalans and phthalides. The importance of the aziridine N-substituent in this DoM reaction is stressed as well. [reaction: see text]