Hydroamination of Unactivated Alkenes with Aliphatic Azides

Regio- and Enantioselective Nickel-Catalyzed Ipso- and Remote Hydroamination Utilizing Organic Azides as Amino Sources for the Synthesis of Primary Amines

Primary amines serve as key synthetic precursors to most other N-containing compounds, which are important in organic and medicinal chemistry. Herein, we present a NiH-catalyzed mild ipso- and remote hydroamination technique that utilizes organic azides as deprotectable primary amine sources. This strategy offers a highly flexible platform for the efficient construction of α-chiral branched primary amines, as well as linear primary amines.

Hydroazidation of trifluoromethyl alkenes with trimethylsilyl azide enabled by organic photoredox catalysis

Herein, we report an organic photoredox-catalyzed hydroazidation of trifluoromethyl alkenes with user-friendly trimethylsilyl azide (TMSN3), enabling a direct access to a broad range of valuable β-CF3-azides with exclusive selectivity under mild reaction conditions. The synthetic utility of this reaction was demonstrated by the late-stage modification of complex drug derivatives, scale-up of the reaction and diverse further derivatizations of the β-CF3-azide product.

Regioselective hydroamination of unactivated olefins with diazirines as a diversifiable nitrogen source

Nitrogen-containing compounds, such as amines, hydrazines, and heterocycles, play an indispensable role in medicine, agriculture, and materials. Alkylated derivatives of these compounds, especially in sterically congested environments, remain a challenge to prepare. Here we report a versatile method for the regioselective hydroamination of readily available unactivated olefins with diazirines. Over fifty examples are reported, including the protecting group-free amination of fourteen different natural products. A broad functional group tolerance includes alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, and epoxides. The proximate products of these reactions are diaziridines, which, under mild conditions, are converted to primary amines, hydrazines, and heterocycles. Five target- and diversity-oriented syntheses of pharmaceutical compounds are shown, along with the preparation of a bis-15N diazirine validated in the late-stage isotopic labeling of an RNA splicing modulator candidate. In this work, we report using diazirine (1) as an electrophilic nitrogen source in a regioselective hydroamination reaction, and the diversification of the resulting diaziridines.

Organo-Photocatalytic Anti-Markovnikov Hydroamidation of Alkenes with Sulfonyl Azides: A Combined Experimental and Computational Study

The construction of C(sp3)-N bonds via direct N-centered radical addition with olefins under benign conditions is a desirable but challenging strategy. Herein, we describe an organo-photocatalytic approach to achieve anti-Markovnikov alkene hydroamidation with sulfonyl azides in a highly efficient manner under transition-metal-free and mild conditions. A broad range of substrates, including both activated and unactivated alkenes, are suitable for this protocol, providing a convenient and practical method to construct sulfonylamide derivatives. A synergistic experimental and computational mechanistic study suggests that the additive, Hantzsch ester (HE), might undergo a triplet-triplet energy transfer manner to achieve photosensitization by the organo-photocatalyst under visible light irradiation. Next, the resulted triplet excited state 3HE* could lead to a homolytic cleavage of C4-H bond, which triggers a straightforward H-atom transfer (HAT) style in converting sulfonyl azide to the corresponding key amidyl radical. Subsequently, the addition of the amidyl radical to alkene followed by HAT from p-toluenethiol could proceed to afford the desired anti-Markovnikov hydroamidation product. It is worth noting that mechanistic pathway bifurcation could be possible for this reaction. A feasible radical chain propagation mechanistic pathway is also proposed to rationalize the high efficiency of this reaction.

Acetate Assistance in Regioselective Hydroamination of Allenamides: A Combined Experimental and Density Functional Theory Study

A key factor in the development of selective nucleophilic addition to allenamides is controlling the reactivity of electrophilic intermediates, which is generally achieved using an electrophilic activator via conjugated iminium intermediates. In this combined experimental and computational study, we show that a general and highly chemoselective hydroamination of allenamides can be accomplished using a combination of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) and NaOAc. Experimental mechanistic studies revealed that HFIP mediates proton transfer to activate the allenamide, while the acetate additive significantly contributes to N-selective interception. This strategy enables a general hydroamination of allenamides without the use of metals. We demonstrated that various functionalized 1,3-diamines could be readily synthesized and diversified into value-added structural motifs. Detailed mechanistic investigations using the density functional theory revealed the role of NaOAc in the formation of reactive electrophilic intermediates, which ultimately governed the selective formation of 1,3-diamine products. Critically, calculations of the potential energy surface around the proton-transfer transition state revealed that two different reactive electrophilic intermediates were formed when NaOAc was added.

Generation of Aromatic N-Heterocyclic Radicals for Functionalization of Unactivated Alkenes

Nitrogen-centered radicals (NCRs) have been widely recognized as versatile synthetic intermediates for the construction of nitrogen containing molecules of high value. As such, there has been a long-standing interest in the field of organic synthesis to develop novel nitrogen-based radicals and explore their inherent reactivity. In this study, we present the generation of aromatic N-heterocyclic radicals and their application in a novel and diverse functionalization of unactivated alkenes. Bench-stable aromatic N-heterocyclic pyridinium salts were employed as crucial NCR precursors, which enabled the efficient conversion of various unactivated alkenes into medicinally relevant alkylated N-heterocyclic amines. This approach offers an unexplored retrosynthetic disconnection for the synthesis of related molecules that commonly possess therapeutic value. Furthermore, this platform can be extended to the synthesis of densely functionalized heterocyclic amines by utilizing disulfides and diethyl bromomalonate as radical quenchers. Mechanistic investigations indicate an energy transfer (EnT) pathway involving the formation of a transient aromatic N-heterocyclic radical, radical addition to unactivated alkenes, and subsequent generation of the amination product through either hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) or radical addition processes.

Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Remote Hydroamidation of Internal Alkenes via Chain Walking

Hydroamination of terminal alkenes represents a powerful and well-established way to introduce nitrogenous functionality to feedstock chemicals. Remote hydroamination reactions are far less known, and represent a way to functionalize unactivated C(sp3) centers distal to the site of the alkene. These transformations commonly take place via metal hydride-mediated chain walking, and as such, regioselectivity can be challenging. The remote introduction of amides is of particular interest due to their prevalence in pharmaceuticals. Herein we report a Rh(III)-catalyzed hydroamidation procedure to functionalize the terminal position of internal alkenes, using dioxazolones as amidation reagents and i-PrOH as a hydride source. The reaction proceeds with high yield and regioselectivity, and tolerates a variety of functionality. Regioconvergent synthesis of a single linear amide from a mixture of isomeric alkenes is demonstrated. Key to the development of this reaction was determining that inorganic bases poison the catalyst, and identifying a suitable trialkylamine replacement.

Syntheses of functionalized benzocoumarins by photoredox catalysis

Direct functionalization of inert C(sp³)-H bonds is an attractive synthetic technology for the preparation of pharmaceutically significant compounds in modern synthetic organic chemistry. In this work, we report a new method for the synthesis of functionalized benzocoumarins through the strategy of activation of multiple C-H bonds on 2-aryl toluenes under visible-light-enabled photoredox conditions. This method has the advantages of high functional group compatibility, mild reaction conditions, and effectively avoiding the use of strong oxidants and precious metal catalysts. Detailed mechanistic investigations, including spectroscopic and electrochemical studies, support the reaction's mechanistic course.

Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Anti-Markovnikov Hydroamidation of Unactivated Alkenes Using Dioxazolones as Amidating Reagents

The amide is one of the most prevalent functional groups in all of pharmaceuticals, and for this reason, reactions that introduce the amide moiety are of particular value. Intermolecular hydroamidation of alkenes remains an underexplored method for the synthesis of amide-containing compounds. The majority of hydroamidation procedures exhibit Markovnikov regioselectivity, while current methods for anti-Markovnikov hydroamidation are somewhat limited to activated alkene substrates or radical processes. Herein, we report a general method for the intermolecular anti-Markovnikov hydroamidation of unactivated alkenes under mild conditions, utilizing Rh(III) catalysis in conjunction with dioxazolone amidating reagents and isopropanol as an environmentally friendly hydride source. The reaction tolerates a wide range of functional groups and efficiently converts electron-deficient alkenes, styrenes, and 1,1-disubstituted alkenes, in addition to unactivated alkenes, to their corresponding linear amides. Mechanistic studies reveal a reversible rhodium hydride migratory insertion step, leading to exquisite selectivity for the anti-Markovnikov product.

Aminium-Radical-Mediated Intermolecular Hydroamination of Nonactivated Olefins

Aminium radicals are attractive intermediates in synthetic chemistry that readily participate in a series of C–N bond-forming processes. Here, we briefly discuss strategies for generating aminium radicals from various precursors in the context of intermolecular alkene amination, and we highlight recent advances in aminium-radical-mediated hydroaminations of nonactivated olefins to directly approach alkylamines.

1 Introduction

2 Intermolecular Hydroamination of Nonactivated Alkenes with Alkylamines under Photoredox Catalysis

3 Intermolecular Hydroamination of Nonactivated Alkenes with Aliphatic Azides

4 Conclusions