Force-Induced Cycloaddition of Aziridine: Can We Force a New Route?

Cycloaddition reactions of aziridines with dipolarophiles under traditional thermal or photochemical conditions entail destructive routes to form reactive intermediates such as an azomethine ylide. This article highlights a recent study that demonstrates a cycloaddition reaction of aziridine induced by mechanical force. Experimental results suggest that the force-induced cycloaddition of aziridine with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate as a dipolarophile does not seem to involve an ylide, with implications for a possible new reaction route. 1 Rivalry between Aziridine and Epoxide 2 Mechanochemically Responsive Polymers 3 Aziridine Mechanophore 4 Concluding Remarks and Outlook.