Primary Benzylic Amines via Copper-Catalyzed Benzylic C(sp3)–H Carbamation
Additive-Free Copper-Catalyzed Benzylic C(sp3)–H Carbamation: Simple Preparation of Primary Benzylic Amines: W. Schmidt, A. ‘G.’ Bakhoda
Synlett 2023, DOI: 10.1055/a-2170-2630
Primary alkylamines are of paramount importance in organic synthesis, as they are prevalent building blocks in natural products synthesis and medicinal chemistry, especially considering that the large majority of small-molecule drugs contain at least one nitrogen atom in their structures. For this reason, the construction of C–N bonds is one of the most important processes in organic chemistry. Recently, the group of Professor Abolghasem ‘Gus’ Bakhoda from Towson University (USA) reported a new copper-catalyzed entry to primary benzylic amines.
Professor Bakhoda said: “Current methodologies for sp3-C–H amination usually results in protected amines tosyl amides that are difficult to deprotect under mild condition and therefore are synthetically less useful. We demonstrated that an operationally simple Cu-catalyzed carbamation can be used to turn alkyl arenes to benzylic Boc-protected amines that are easily deprotected under mild conditions for organic synthesis.”
