Redox-neutral functionalization of α-Csp3–H bonds of secondary cyclic amines: a highly atom-economical strategy for N-arylation/formal cross-dehydrogenative couplings

Abstract

An efficient redox-neutral method has been developed for α-Csp³–H functionalization of secondary cyclic amines via concurrent N-arylation/formal cross dehydrogenation coupling (CDC) with sp²-C–H and sp³-C–H bonds of arenes and ketones, respectively. The developed protocol is operationally simple, highly atom economical and environmentally benign (E-factor = ca. 0.5). The reaction mechanism has been explained based on the control experiments and examination of reactive intermediates by mass spectrometry.