Regioselective synthesis of N-beta-hydroxyethylaziridines by the ring-opening reaction of epoxides with aziridine generated in situ

[reaction: see text] Biologically important N-beta-hydroxyethylaziridine intermediates were conveniently prepared by regioselective ring-opening reactions of diversely substituted epoxides. Ethyleneimine generated in situ under basic conditions from beta-chloroethylamine was used as a nucleophile to open the epoxides in an aqueous environment.