Synthesis of N-Activated Aziridines of Long-Chain Fatty Acid Esters

An alternative one-step synthesis of N-activated aziridines of naturally occurring fatty acid esters from olive oil and Sunflower oil has been achieved. N-Tosylaziridine derivatives were obtained in yields ranging from 8.5 to 97.5%. Methyl cis- and trans-8-(3-octyl-1-tosylaziridin-2-yl)octanoates were formed with trans-esterified olive oil as substrate, and methyl cis- and trans-(Z)-11-(3-pentyl-1-tosylaziridin-2-yl)undec-9-enoates were produced when transesterified sunflower oil was the substrate.