The reaction of β‐amino alcohols with 1,1′‐carbonyldiimidazole in dichloromethane is affected by the size of the nitrogen substituent. 1,3‐Oxazolidin‐2‐ones are exclusively obtained from N‐H, N‐methyl and N‐arylmethyl derivatives. O‐(1‐Imidazolyl)carbonyl derivatives are formed as intermediates from N‐[1‐(2‐pyridyl)alkyl]‐(S)‐valinol and are mainly or exclusively converted into aziridines in the presence of water, although the cyclization is impeded by large N‐substituents such as triphenylmethyl.

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