Synergistic Acid-Catalyzed Synthesis of N-Aryl-Substituted Azacycles from Anilines and Cyclic Ethers

Org Lett. 2016 Apr 1;18(7):1522-5. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.6b00157. Epub 2016 Mar 10.

Abstract

A metal-free and efficient approach to N-aryl-substituted azacycles from arylamines and cyclic ethers is described. In this synthesis, the synergistic effect between Lewis and Brønsted acids is crucial to the ring-opening of cyclic ethers and the subsequent cyclization. The use of B(C6F5)3 enabled the formation of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) from the reactants, and the resulting FLPs allowed ready access to the N-arylazacycles in moderate to good yields via further cyclization. Water is the sole waste resulting from the reaction, thereby making it an environmentally benign process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't