Asymmetric nitrogen−35

A second-kind asymmetric transformation involving N-atom inversion has been observed at 20° for 1(S) - α - carboxyethyl - 3,3 - bis(trifluoromethyl)diaziridine 1 and its methyl ester 2. X-Ray data for the diastereomer (1S, 2S, α-S), 1A (which is thermodynamically preferred in the crystalline phase), 1H NMR spectra of ethyl ester 3-15N(1) and 3-15N(2), CD spectra of 1A,B, 2A,B, potassium salt 4A,B and semiempirical calculations (MINDO/3 and INDO) for 1A, show that the stereospecificity of crystallization of the diastereomer A is due to the higher energy of the crystal lattice of the diastereomer (1R, 2R, α-S), 1B because of hindered charge compensation as well as to the hindrance by the CF3, groups to intermolecular H-bonds. According to semiempirical calculations, the stability of 3,3 - bis(trifluoromethyl) - diaziridines (TFD) to the action ofel w-orbital energies and depolarization of the C-N bonds due to hyperconjugation and the inductive effect of the CF3,-groups. The steric effect of these groups is the reason of the low configurational stability of TFD compared with the 3,3-dimethyl analogues.