An umpolung strategy for the synthesis of β-aminoketones via copper-catalyzed electrophilic amination of cyclopropanols

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/acs.orglett.5b00828

A novel copper-catalyzed electrophilic amination of cyclopropanols with O-benzoyl-N,N-dialkylhydroxylamines to synthesize various β-aminoketones via a sequence that includes C-C bond cleavage and C_sp3-N bond formation is reported. The reaction conditions are mild and tolerate a wide range of functional groups including benzoate, tosylate, expoxide, and α,β-unsaturated carbonyls, which are incompatible in the traditional amine nucleophilic conjugate addition and the Mannich reaction conditions. Preliminary mechanistic studies and a proposed catalytic cycle of this umpolung β-aminoketone synthesis process have been described as well.