Catalyst free C–N bond formation by the reaction of amines with diimides: bulky guanidines

Abstract

We have shown an atom economical and catalyst free addition of cyclic secondary amines to various bulky aryl symmetrical and unsymmetrical carbodiimides to afford N,N′N′′N′′-tetra substituted guanidines in quantitative yields at ambient reaction conditions. Furthermore, it was established that the addition of diamine to bulky aryl symmetrical carbodiimides (2 equiv.) led to the formation of bulky aryl biguanidines.