Scandium-catalyzed C(sp3)–H alkylation of N,N-dimethyl anilines with alkenes

Abstract

A scandium complex based on a new type of tridentate ligand enabled an atom- and step-economical C(sp³)–H addition of N,N-dimethyl anilines to a variety of unactivated alkenes affording branched products for the first time. A cationic o-dimethylaminophenyl scandium species was isolated and confirmed as the catalytic intermediate in this transformation.