Metal-, oxidant- and base-free direct C–H amination of maleimides enabled by versatile benzohydroxamic acids

Abstract

Benzohydroxamic acid represents an inexpensive and readily available reagent. Herein, a novel, metal- and base-free amination of maleimide with benzohydroxamic acid has been established. This method features environmental friendliness, mild conditions, and operational simplicity, affording a series of aminomaleimides in good yields with broad functional group compatibility. Previous studies on C–N bond construction have primarily relied on the coupling of C–X (X = hydrogen, halogen, boron, sulfonate, carboxyl, etc.) with N–H. In contrast, the present work represents a rare example of C–N bond formation via C–H/N–Y (Y ≠ H) coupling.