Background of the invention P-Amino acids are widely used intermediates for the synthesis of biologically active compounds such as 0-lactams and ß-peptides. N-substitution of ß-peptides exhibits increased potency and selectivity because of enhanced hydrophobicity, improved bioavailability and metabolic stability. Ring opening of aziridines, which is an important and widely used protocol due to ease of preparation, ring strain and high reactivity, is increasingly appreciated because of their application as versatile building blocks for the synthesis of many nitrogen containing biologically interesting molecules.

Although @-amino nitriles are conveniently prepared by the ring opening of aziridines with trimethylsilyl cyanide, bromoacetonitrile, alkali cyanide, the unsatisfactory selectivity, low yield and use of hygroscopic/hazardous chemicals make these methodologies less attractive. Moreover, post alkylation of 8-amino nitriles/acids and related peptide is very difficult endeavor.

Synthesis of 0-amino nitriles by the nucleophilic ring opening of N-nosyl aziridines with cyanide ions followed by hydrolysis of corresponding nitriles to give N-nosyl ß-amino acids is disclosed in Tetrahedron 2001, 57, 7665. The inherent disadvantages are the use of toxic reagents and cumbersome methodology. Synthesis of ß-amino nitriles from aldimines and bromoacetonitrile in presence of tin powder and trimethylsilyl chloride is disclosed in Synth. Comm. 1997, 27, 3175. The inherent disadvantage is the usage of expensive reagents.

The ring opening reaction of aziridine with trimethylsilyl compound triggered by tetrabutylammonium fluoride to give corresponding products regioselectively is disclosed in J. Org Aem. 2000, 65, 1344. This disclosure provides the protocol for the ring opening reaction of aziridine to afford cyano, azido, or chloroamines. However, the inherent disadvantages of this procedure are the use of hygroscopic silyl compound, unsatisfactory selectivity and moderate yield in some cases.

The reaction of Schiff bases such as N-benzylideneanilines with superoxide ion in acetonitrile under mild conditions to yield cyanomethyl adducts is disclosed in Bull Chers.

Soc. Jpn, 1986, 59, 3323. The inherent disadvantages are number of byproducts obtained along with the required amino nitrile, lengthy procedure, non-selectivity and non-catalytic nature of the reaction. Tetrahedron Lett. 1990, 31, 6379, discloses the Yb (CN) 3 catalyzed ring opening of aziridine with trimethylsilyl cyanide resulting in the formation of- »-amino nitrile. The inherent disadvantage is the critical preparation of catalyst, handling, storage and non-reusability. Preparation of chiral N-dibenzylamino nitriles in enantiomerically pure form from a-amino acids by deprotonation and stereoselective alkylation is described in Tetrahedron Lett. 1994, 47, 8769. The drawbacks are longer reaction times and usage of multistep procedure. The reaction of'N-diphenyl phosphinyl protected aziridines with a range of nucleophiles including trimethylsilylnitrile is reported in M/e 1994, 145. The drawback is the use of expensive reagents and moderate yields.

Objects of the invention The main object of the present invention is the preparation of 8-amino nitriles which are precursors tor, 8-amino acids, in excellent yields and selectivities by the simultaneous ring opening and concomitant substitution of various aziridines with different aliphatic and aromatic nitriles.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel and ecofriendly process for the synthesis of N-substituted 0-amino nitrites in a single pot by the simultaneous ring opening and concomitant substitution of different aziridines in the presence of various organo nitriles.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a process for the synthesis of p- amino nitriles which dispenses with the use of multistep procedure. it is a further object of the invention to provide a process for the synthesis of 0-amino nitriles using metal triflate catalyst wherein the yields are high, and the catalyst is capable of being recovered and recycled with consistent activity.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an economical process for the synthesis of, 8-amino nitriles by the ring opening and concomitant substitution of aziridines by various aromatic and aliphatic nitriles.

Summary of the Invention The novelty of the present invention lies in the design and development of simultaneous ring opening and concomitant N-substitution of various N-tosyl aziridines with different aliphatic and aromatic nitriles in presence of catalytic amount of metal triflates to afford different N-substituted 0-amino nitrites in excellent yields and selectivities.

Accordingly the present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a p-amino nitrile by the simultaneous ring opening and concomitant N-substitution reaction of a N-tosyl R\R-aziridine wherein Ri is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl and cycloalkyl, R is selected from the group consisting of fI, methyl, ethyl and phenyl, with an aliphatic or aromatic nitrile of the ibrmula RCN wherein Ruz is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, phenyl and benzyl, in the presence of a catalytic amount of metal triflate of the formula M (OTÍ) X wherein M is a metal, with continuous stirring using a solvent selected from group consisting of the aliphatic or aromatic nitrile as self-solvent, THF, DCM, benzene and toluene under nitrogen atmosphere to obtain N-substituted, IS-amino nitrile.

In one embodiment of the invention, Rut ils selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 4-methyl phenyl, 4-ethyl phenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, n- heptyl, n-octyl, cyclohexyl, cyclooctyl and benzyl.

In another embodiment of the invention, the aliphatic or aromatic nitrile reactant is selected from the group consisting ofbenzonitrile, propionitrile and acetonitrile.

In another embodiment of the invention, the aziridine is selected from the group consisting of N-tosylated phenyl aziridine, N-tosylated 4- (methylphenyl) aziridine, N- tosylated 2, 3-diphenyl aziridine, N-tosylated n-octyl aziridine and N-tosylated cyclohexyl aziridine.

, In an embodiment of the present invention, the quantity of metal triflate catalyst used in the reaction is 5-15 mol% with respect to the substrate aziridine.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the metal triflate catalyst is recovered by simple filtration and recycled for several cycles with consistent activity.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, M is selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Ru, Sc, In, La, Ce, Nd, Bi, Dy, Gd, Pr, Yb, Nd, Sm and Y.

In another embodiment of the invention, the catalyst used is scandium triflate.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the reaction is carried out at a temperature in the range of 0 to 35 OC for a time period in the range of 1 to 23 h.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the reagent nitrile is also used as solvent to dispense the use of another solvent thus simplifying the work up procedure for the recovery of catalyst and products.

Detailed description of the invention The present invention comprises the preparation of 8-amino nitriles which are precursors for 8-amino acids, by the simultaneous ring opening and concomitant substitution of various N-tosyl Rl 2-aziridines with different aliphatic and aromatic nitriles R3CN in

presence of catalytic amount of metal triflates [MtOTf) x] to afford different N-substituted ß- tert-amino nitriles in excellent yields and selectivities, wherein the Ru ils selected from alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl groups consisting of phenyl, 4-methyl phenyl, 4-ethyl phenyl, 4- methoxyphenyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, cyclohexyl, cyclooctyl, benzyl, etc. , R2 is H, methyl, ethyl, phenyl, etc., R3 is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, phenyl, benzyl, etc. , and M is selected from Cu, Zn, Ru, Sc, In, La, Ce, Nd, Bi, Dy, Gd, Pr, Yb, Nd, Sm, Y, etc. The reaction is carried out in the presence of catalytic amount of metal triflates at a temperature ranging from 0 to 35 °C for 1 to 23 h with continuous stirring using solvents such as nitrile as self-solvent, THF, DCM, benzene, and toluene under nitrogen atmosphere. The process of the invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art enumerated above since, inter alia, the work up is simple, and the catalyst is recoverable and recyclable with consistent activity for several cycles. The synthesis of N substituted (3-amino nitriles is under mild conditions and the products can be used further to prepare N-substituted ß-amino acids, (3-lactams, (3-peptides, etc. The use of ambient temperature and different substituted aziridines as well as nitriles provides the N substituted (3-amino nitriles as product in good to excellent yields and in a single step.

Generally the quantity of metal triflates used in the reaction is 5-15 mol% with respect to the aziridine. The metal triflate catalyst used in the reactions can be recovered by simple filtration and reuse for number of cycles with consistent activity.

The reaction is preferably carried out in the presence of catalytic amount of metal triflates at a temperature ranging from 0 to 35°C for 1 to 23 h with continuous stirring using the nitrile as self-solvent under nitrogen atmosphere. The process comprises the unique activation of organo nitrile to facilitate simultaneous ring opening and N-substitution of activated aziridines by metal triflates to obtain N-substituted ß-amino nitriles in excellent yields in a single pot. Post alkylation of 0-amino acid/peptide, a tedious endeavor, is dispensed in the present protocol.

Higher yields are obtained when scandium triflate is used as catalyst. Incidentally this forms the first report of formation of N substituted (3-amino nitriles in a single pot. The consistent activity obtained for several cycles makes the process economical and possible for commercial realization.

N-substituted ß-amino nitriles are widely used as intermediates for the synthesis of biologically active compounds such as N substituted (3-Amino acids, (3-lactams and ß- peptides. N-substitution of 0-peptides exhibits increased potency and selectivity because of enhanced hydrophobicity, improved bioavailability and metabolic stability.

Scientific Explanation The process of the invention comprises the unprecedented activation of alkyl/aryl nitrile to facilitate simultaneous ring opening and N-alkylation of activated aziridines by scandium (III) trifluoromethanesulfonate [Sc (OTf) 3] to obtain N-substituted 0-amino nitriles in excellent yields in a single pot and dispenses with post alkylation of amino acids. In the presence of organo nitriles, the metal catalyst complexes with the nitrogen of nitrile in preference to aziridine to form a Lewis adduct. This Lewis adduct on further interaction with aziridine afforded N substituted (3-amino nitriles via an intermediate transition state. The direct activation of organo nitriles by scandium triflate opens up enormous opportunities in synthetic chemistry.

The following examples are given by way of illustration of the present invention and therefore should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.

Example 1 Synthesis of N-substituted (3-amino nitriles : Synthesis of N phenyl (3-amino nitrile derivative from A-tosylated phenyl aziridine To a stirred solution of Sc (OT3 (60 mg, 0.12 mmol) dissolved in excess of dry and freshly distilled benzonitrile (3 mL), which also acts as a solvent, aziridine (218 mg, 0.8 mmol) was added under nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting mixture was stirred at 35 °C for 12 h. On completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed by rotavapor and residue was absorbed on neutral aluminium oxide. The product was eluted using ethyl acetate: hexane (25: 75) to afford pure product.

Example 2 Synthesis of N ethyl (3-amino nitrile derivative from N-tosylated phenyl aziridine To a stirred solution of Sc (OTf) 3 (60 mg, 0.12 mmol) dissolved in excess of dry and freshly distilled propionitrile (3 mL), which also acts as a solvent, aziridine (218 mg, 0.8 mmol) was added under nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting mixture was stirred at 35 °C for 12 h. On completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed by rotavapor and residue was absorbed on neutral aluminium oxide. The product was eluted using ethyl acetate: hexane (25: 75) to afford pure product.

Example 3 Synthesis of N-methyl ß-amino nitrile denvative from N-tosylated phenyl aziridine To a stirred solution of Sc (OTf) 3 (60 mg, 0.12 mmol) dissolved in excess of dry and freshly distilled acetonitrile (3 mL), which also acts as a solvent, aziridine (218 mg, 0.8 mmol) was added under nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting mixture was stirred at 35 °C for

12 h. On completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed by rotavapor and residue was absorbed on neutral aluminium oxide. The product was eluted using ethyl acetate: hexane (25: 75) to afford pure product.

Examples 4-6 The same procedure described as in examples 1-3 was followed using N-tosylated 4- (methylphenyl) aziridine to afford the corresponding products as shown in Scheme 1 and Table 1.

Example 7 Synthesis of N phenyl (3-amino nitrile derivative from N-tosylated 2,3-diphenyl aziridine To a stirred solution of Sc (OTf) 3 (60 mg, 0.12 mmol) dissolved in excess of dry and freshly distilled benzonitrile (3 mL), which also acts as a solvent, aziridine (279 mg, 0.8 mmol) was added under nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting mixture was stirred at 35 °C for 23 h. On completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed by rotavapor and residue was absorbed on neutral aluminium oxide. The product was eluted using ethyl acetate: hexane (25: 75) to afford pure product.

Example 8 Synthesis of N ethyl (3-amino nitrile derivative from N-tosylated 2, 3-diphenyl aziridine To a stirred solution of Sc (OTf) 3 (60 mg, 0.12 mmol) dissolved in excess of dry and freshly distilled propionitrile (3 mL), which also acts as a solvent, aziridine (279 mg, 0.8 mmol) was added under nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting mixture was stirred at 35 °C for 23 h. On completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed by rotavapor and residue was absorbed on neutral aluminium oxide. The product was eluted using ethyl acetate: hexane (25: 75) to afford pure product.

Example 9 Synthesis of N-methyl ß-amino nitrile derivative from N-tosylated 2,3-diphenyl aziridine To a stirred solution of Sc (OT3 (60 mg, 0.12 mmol) dissolved in excess of dry and freshly distilled acetonitrile (3 mL), which also acts as a solvent, aziridine (279 mg, 0.8 mmol) was added under nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting mixture was stirred at 35 °C for 23 h. On completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed by rotavapor and residue was absorbed on neutral aluminium oxide. The product was eluted using ethyl acetate: hexane (25: 75) to afford pure product.

Examples 10-12 The same procedure described as in examples 7-9 was followed using N-tosylated n- octyl aziridine to afford the corresponding products as shown in Scheme 1 and Table 1.

Scheme 1. Ring opening ofaziridmes with organo nitriles.

Table I. . Sc(OTf)3 Catalyzed Reaction ofAziridines with Organo Nitriles to ß-tert Amino Nitriles. M'M

Example R R Product Yield Temp[°C] [%][c] 1 C6Hs H C6H5 12/35 2a 94 2 C6H5 H C2H5 I2/35 lb 92 3 C6H5 H CH3 12/35 2c 97 4 4-MeC6H4 H C6H5 12/35 2d 93 5 4-MeC6H4 H C2H5 12/35 2e 95 6 4-MeC6H4 H CH3 12/35 2f 96 7 C6H5 C6Hs C6H5 23/35 2g 76 8 C6H5 C6H5 C2H5 23/35 2h 64 9 C6H5 C6H5 CH3 23/35 2i 79 10 CH3(CH2)7 H C6H5 23/35 2j 91 11 CH3(CH2)7 H C2H5 23/35 2k 93 12 CH3 (CH2) 7 H CH3 23/35 21 94 [a] reaction conditions : aziridine (0. 8 rmnol), Sc (OTf)3 (15 mol %), nitrile (3 ml).[b] products are characterized on the basis of spectroscopic data. Icl isolated yield based on the aziridine used.

Examples 12-15 The same procedure described as in examples 7-9 was followed using N-tosylated cyclohexyl aziridine to afford the corresponding products as shown in Scheme 2.

le 2m-2o R3 = C6H5, C2H5, CH3 Scheme 2. Reaction of cyclohexyl aziridine with organo nitriles.

Examples 16-20 In an effort to compare the reactivity of Sc(OTf)3 with other triflates, cerium, bismuth, ytterbium and yttrium triflates was used. To a stirred solution of M(OTf)3 (60 mg, 0. 12

mmol) dissolved in excess of dry and freshly distilled acetonnitrile (3 mL), which also acts as a solvent, B-tosylated phenyl aziridine (218 mg, 0.8 mmol) was added under nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting mixture was stirred at 35 OC for 12 h. On completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed by rotavapor and residue was absorbed on neutral aluminium oxide. The product was eluted using ethyl acetate: hexane (25: 75) to afford pure product. These results indicate that while the yields are good with other metal triflates, scandium triflate is the best catalyst for the formation N-substituted ß-amino nitriles.

M = Sc, Ce, Bi, Yb, Y.

Scheme 3. Reaction to study the catalytic Effect of various Metal Triflates.

Table 2. Catalytic Effect of various Metal Triflates in the Reaction of Aziridine with Acetonitrile to form (3-Amino Nitrile. <BR> <BR> <BR> <P> Example Metal triflate Time (h) /temp (°C) Product Yield %<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 16 Scandium triflate 12/35 97 17 Cerium triflate 12/35 82 18 Bismuth triflate 12/35 71 19 Ytterbium triflate 12/35 66 20 Yttrium triflate 12/35 63 Examples 21-24 In an effort to compare the formation of N-methyI ß-amlno nitrile derivative with different solvents a variety of solvents, such as benzene, dichloromethane, toluene and TifF were used for the reaction of acetonitrile with N-tosylated phenylaziridine under identical reaction conditions. The yield of amino nitrile was found to reduce significantly (Table 3).

When THF was used as a solvent, polymerization took place and a gel like mass was obtained. To a stirred solution o : tSc (OTt3 (60 mg, 0.12 mmol) dissolved in dry and freshly distilled solvent, acetonitrile (36 mg, 0.88 mmol) and N-tosylated phenyl aziridine (218 mg, 0. 8 mmol) was added under nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting mixture was stirred at 35 °C for 12 h. On completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed by rotavapor and residue

was absorbed on neutral aluminium oxide. The product was eluted using ethyl acetate: hexane (25: 75) to afford pure product. These results indicate that nitriles act as the best solvent for the formation N-substituted-amino nitriles.

Table 3. Effect of solvents on scandium triflate catalyzed ring opening reaction of N- tosylated phenyl aziridine with acetonitrile Example Solvents Time(h) Temp.(°C) Yield % 21 Benzene 12 35 40 22 Toluene 12 35 69 23 Dichloromethane 12 35 58 24 THF 12 35- The main advantages of the present invention are: 1. A novel and ecofriendly process for the synthesis of N-substituted ß-amino nitriles in a single pot by the simultaneous ring opening and concomitant substitution of different aziridines in the presence of various organo nitriles is presented.

2. The present process dispenses the use of multistep procedure instead a single pot reaction is carried out.

3. Scandium triflate is found to be the best catalyst in terms of yield, ease of handling and storage.

4. The yields are excellent in most of the examples.

5. The work-up procedure is simple.

6. The catalyst is subJected to many recycles, which displayed consistent activity.

7. The present process is environmentally safe since there is no disposal problem.

8. The process is economical.