Contrasteric coupling of allenes and tetrahydroisoquinolines by iron-catalysed allenic C(sp2)–H functionalisation

Abstract

An iron-catalysed C–H functionalisation of simple monosubstituted allenes for the synthesis of 1-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl 1,1-disubstituted allenes is reported. This transformation represents the first example of a direct conversion of allenic C–H bonds to C–C bonds through cross dehydrogenative coupling. The optimized protocol features broad scope and employs mild, functional group tolerant conditions.