Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.131, No.6, 2116-2116, 2009
Selective C-H Activation alpha to Primary Amines. Bridging Metallaaziridines for Catalytic, Intramolecular alpha-Alkylation
Selective alpha-C-H activation results in the synthesis of the first bridging metallaaziridine complex for the catalytic alpha-alkylation of primary amines. Reaction development led to the preparation of new Zr 2-pyridonate complexes for this useful transformation. No nitrogen protecting groups are required for this reaction, which is capable of assembling quaternary chiral centers a to nitrogen. Preliminary mechanistic investigations suggest bridging metallaaziridine species are the catalytically active intermediates for this alpha-functionalization reaction, while monomeric imido complexes furnish azepane hydroamination products.