N-Heterocycles from chromium aminocarbenes

Org Lett. 2015 Mar 6;17(5):1312-5. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.5b00313. Epub 2015 Feb 23.

Abstract

The initial [2 + 2]-cycloadduct between a chromium aminocarbene and a tethered alkene undergoes a β-hydrogen elimination very efficiently when triphenylphosphine is added as a ligand. The reaction gives cyclic enamines or homoenamines depending on the substitution on the alkene.