B(C6F5)3-Catalyzed redox-neutral β-alkylation of tertiary amines using p-quinone methides via borrowing hydrogen

Chem Commun (Camb). 2019 Jan 24;55(9):1217-1220. doi: 10.1039/c8cc09215j.

Abstract

Herein, we present the first example of catalytic redox-neutral β-functionalization of tertiary amines through a borrowing hydrogen process. This B(C6F5)3-catalyzed procedure utilizes commercially or readily available catalysts and substrates and promotes a direct functionalization of the C(sp3)-H bond at the β-position of acyclic tertiary amines through conjugate addition to para-quinone methides. Compared to previous work on direct β-functionalization of tertiary amines under oxidative conditions, besides being metal-free, the significant advantage of this method is that neither stoichiometric oxidants nor reductants are needed which may otherwise generate unnecessary waste.