Catalytic and Atom‐Economic C −C Bond Formation: Alkyl Tantalum Ureates for Hydroaminoalkylation

Atom‐economic and regioselective C ?C bond formation has been achieved by rapid C?H alkylation of unprotected secondary arylamines with unactivated alkenes. The combination of Ta(CH₂SiMe₃)₃Cl₂, and a ureate N,O‐chelating‐ligand salt gives catalytic systems prepared in situ that can realize high yields of β‐alkylated aniline derivatives from either terminal or internal alkene substrates. These new catalyst systems realize C?H alkylation in as little as one hour and for the first time a 1:1 stoichiometry of alkene and amine substrates results in high yielding syntheses of isolated amine products by simple filtration and concentration.