PdII-catalyzed C-H olefination of N-(2-pyridyl)sulfonyl anilines and arylalkylamines

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/anie.201105611

Flexible friend: The N-(2-pyridyl)sulfonyl group acts as a removable directing group in the Pd^II-catalyzed aryl C-H ortho alkenylation of N-alkyl aniline, benzylamine, and phenethylamine derivatives with electron-poor alkenes. The products were obtained in high yields (70-90 %) and with complete regiocontrol. The mild reductive N-sulfonyl removal enables the construction of a variety of nitrogen heterocycles. EWG=electron-withdrawing group.