Rh2(II)-Catalyzed Intermolecular N-Aryl Aziridination of Olefins Using Nonactivated N Atom Precursors

J Am Chem Soc. 2021 Nov 17;143(45):19149-19159. doi: 10.1021/jacs.1c09229. Epub 2021 Nov 8.

Abstract

The development of the first intermolecular Rh2(II)-catalyzed aziridination of olefins using anilines as nonactivated N atom precursors and an iodine(III) reagent as the stoichiometric oxidant is reported. This reaction requires the transfer of an N-aryl nitrene fragment from the iminoiodinane intermediate to a Rh2(II) carboxylate catalyst; in the absence of a catalyst only diaryldiazene formation was observed. This N-aryl aziridination is general and can be successfully realized by using as little as 1 equiv of the olefin. Di-, tri-, and tetrasubstituted cyclic or acylic olefins can be employed as substrates, and a range of aniline and heteroarylamine N atom precursors are tolerated. The Rh2(II)-catalyzed N atom transfer to the olefin is stereospecific as well as chemo- and diastereoselective to produce the N-aryl aziridine as the only amination product. Because the chemistry of nonactivated N-aryl aziridines is underexplored, the reactivity of N-aryl aziridines was explored toward a range of nucleophiles to stereoselectively access privileged 1,2-stereodiads unavailable from epoxides, and removal of the N-2,4-dinitrophenyl group was demonstrated to show that functionalized primary amines can be constructed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alkenes / chemistry*
  • Aniline Compounds / chemistry
  • Aziridines / chemical synthesis*
  • Catalysis
  • Cyclization
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Rhodium / chemistry

Substances

  • Alkenes
  • Aniline Compounds
  • Aziridines
  • Rhodium