Control of pyramidal inversion rates by redox switching

The dynamics of pyramidal nitrogen inversion can be controlled by reversible redox switching in trans-2,3-diphenylaziridines bearing a suitable 1,4-naphthaquinone substituent. In the reduced form, an intramolecular H-bond significantly raises the inversion barrier slowing this molecular motion by >50-fold. The experimental findings are further supported by DFT calculations.