Graphite‐Supported Gold Nanoparticles as Efficient Catalyst for Aerobic Oxidation of Benzylic Amines to Imines and N‐Substituted 1,2,3,4‐Tetrahydroisoquinolines to Amides: Synthetic Applications and Mechanistic Study

Selective oxidation of amines using oxygen as terminal oxidant is an important area in green chemistry. In this work, we describe the use of graphite‐supported gold nanoparticles (AuNPs/C) to catalyze aerobic oxidation of cyclic and acyclic benzylic amines to the corresponding imines with moderate‐to‐excellent substrate conversions (43–100 %) and product yields (66–99 %) (19 examples). Oxidation of N‐substituted 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolines in the presence of aqueous NaHCO₃ solution gave the corresponding amides in good yields (83–93 %) with high selectivity (up to amide/enamide=93:4) (6 examples). The same protocol can be applied to the synthesis of benzimidazoles from the reaction of o‐phenylenediamines with benzaldehydes under aerobic conditions (8 examples). By simple centrifugation, AuNPs/C can be recovered and reused for ten consecutive runs for the oxidation of dibenzylamine to N‐benzylidene(phenyl)methanamine without significant loss of catalytic activity and selectivity. This protocol “AuNPs/C+O₂” can be scaled to the gram scale, and 8.9 g (84 % isolated yield) of 3,4‐dihydroisoquinoline can be obtained from the oxidation of 10 g 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline in a one‐pot reaction. Based on the results of kinetic studies, radical traps experiment, and Hammett plot, a mechanism involving the hydrogen‐transfer reaction from amine to metal and oxidation of M‐H is proposed.     

A simple proline-based organocatalyst for the enantioselective reduction of imines using trichlorosilane as a reductant

A simple and inexpensive proline-based organocatalyst was developed for the reduction of imines using trichlorosilane as a reductant. The reduction of N-aryl imines in the presence of 10 mol % of N-pivaloyl-l-proline anilide was carried out to give the corresponding amines in excellent yields (up to 99%) with high enantioselectivities (up to 93% ee).     

Visible‐Light‐Induced Selective Photocatalytic Aerobic Oxidation of Amines into Imines on TiO2

Imines are important intermediates for the synthesis of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural chemicals. Selective oxidation of amines into their corresponding imines with dioxygen is one of the most‐fundamental chemical transformations. Herein, we report the oxidation of a series of benzylic amines into their corresponding imines with atmospheric dioxygen as the oxidant on a surface of anatase TiO₂ under visible‐light irradiation (λ>420 nm). The visible‐light response of this system was caused by the formation of a surface complex through the adsorption of a benzylic amine onto the surface of TiO₂. From the analysis of products of specially designed benzylic amines, we demonstrated that a highly selective oxygenation reaction proceeds via an oxygen‐transfer mechanism to afford the corresponding carbonyl compound, whose further condensation with an amine would generate the final imine product. We found that when primary benzylic amines (13 examples), were chosen as the substrates, moderate to excellent selectivities for the imine products were achieved (ca. 38–94 %) in moderate to excellent conversion rates (ca. 44–95 %). When secondary benzylic amines (15 examples) were chosen as the substrates, both the corresponding imines and aldehydes were detected as the main products with moderate to high conversion rates (ca. 18–100 %) and lower selectivities for the imine products (ca. 14–69 %). When tribenzylamine was chosen as the substrate, imine (27 %), dibenzylamine (24 %), and benzaldehyde products (39 %) were obtained in a conversion of 50 %. This report can be viewed as a prototypical system for the activation of C? H bonds adjacent to heteroatoms such as N, O, and S atoms, and oxofuctionalization with air or dioxygen as the terminal oxidant under visible‐light irradiation using TiO₂ as the photocatalyst.     

Design and synthesis of a tridentate ligand inspired by the phenomenon of self-assembly catalysis and its application in the asymmetric alkynylation of N-(diphenylphosphinoyl) imines

On the basis of the phenomenon of self-assembly catalysis, a tridentate ligand was designed and synthesized in two steps. The application in alkynylation of N-(diphenylphosphinoyl) imines gave the expected products. Aromatic, heteroaromatic N-(diphenylphosphinoyl) imines were employed and gave optically active propargylic amines in good yields (up to 89%) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 96%) by a simple experimental procedure. The direct use of sulfone amides in the alkynylation of N-(diphenylphosphinoyl) aliphatic imines made this method very attractive.     

Allenes and acetylens—XXIII1: Synthesis of α-allenic amines via allenic imines obtained from organocopper reactions

N-2,3-alkadienyldiphenylmethanimines 5a-h are formed in moderate yields in 1,3-substitution reactions (S_N2′) of propargylic sulfonates with an organocopper reagent derived from metalated N-methyldiphenylmethanimine 1 and Me₂S·CuBr. The imines can be readily hydrolyzed to primary α-allenic amines. Alkylation of the imines with methyl fluorosulfonate followed by hydrolysis gives N-methyl-subsituted secondary α-allenic amines.     

Direct synthesis of imines by 9-azabicyclo-[3,3,1]nonan-N-oxyl/KOH-catalyzed aerobic oxidative coupling of alcohols and amines

A simple and efficient method for preparation of imines by the oxidative coupling of alcohols and amines using ABNO/KOH as the catalysts, and air as the economic and green oxidant was developed.     

Platinum nanoparticles as recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for selective methylation of amines and imines with formic acid: Indirect utilization of CO2

N-methylation of amines and imines with formic acid as C1 source by easily prepared Pt NPs as heterogeneous catalyst is reported here. Primary, secondary amines and imines were successfully methylated in good to excellent yields under mild conditions. Both aromatic and aliphatic amines could be applied as substrates. Meanwhile, the heterogeneous Pt NPs were capable to be recylcled and reused for 7 times without significant decrease of reactivity. This protocol provided an indirect utilization pathway of CO₂ by using formic acid as C1 source.     

Carbene adduct of cyclopalladated ferrocenylimine‐assisted synthesis of aminopyridine derivatives by the amination of chloropyridines with primary and secondary amines

An efficient, simple way to synthesize aminopyridine derivatives is presented, based on Buchwald–Hartwig aminations. Using 1 mol% N‐heterocyclic carbene adduct of cyclopalladated ferrocenylimine in the presence of 1.5 equiv. ^tBuOK as base in dioxane at 110°C offered moderate to excellent yields in the reaction of chloropyridines with primary and secondary amines, including sterically hindered amines and alkyl amines.     

A versatile Ru catalyst for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of both aromatic and aliphatic sulfinylimines

A highly efficient Ru catalyst based on an achiral, very simple, and inexpensive amino alcohol ligand (2‐amino‐2‐methylpropan‐1‐ol) has been developed for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of chiral N‐(tert‐butylsulfinyl)imines. This complex is able to catalyze the ATH of both aromatic and the most challenging aliphatic sulfinylimines by using isopropyl alcohol as the hydrogen source. The diastereoselective reduction of aromatic, heteroaromatic, and aliphatic sulfinylketimines, including sterically congested cases, over short reaction times (1–4 h), followed by desulfinylation of the nitrogen atom, affords the corresponding highly enantiomerically enriched (ee up to >99 %) α‐branched primary amines in excellent yields. The same ligand was equally effective for the synthesis of both (R)‐ and (S)‐amines by using the appropriate absolute configuration in the iminic substrate. DFT mechanistic studies show that the hydrogen‐transfer process is stepwise. Moreover, the origin of the diastereoselectivity has been rationalized.     

Facile Allylation of N‐Boc and N‐Cbz Imines with Allyltrichlorosilane promoted by DMF

Facile allylation of various N‐Boc and N‐Cbz imines with allyltrichlorosilane has been effected using N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) as the activator. The N‐Boc and N‐Cbz homoallylic amines were obtained in good to high yields under mild conditions.     

Chiral N-phosphonyl imine chemistry: asymmetric 1,2-additions of allylmagnesium bromides

Chiral N-phosphonyl homoallylic amines were synthesized by the reaction of allylmagnesium bromide with chiral N-phosphonyl imines. The C₂-symmetric chiral N-phosphonyl group was optimized for this reaction. Excellent yields and good diastereoselectivities were obtained for eight examples.     

Synthesis of Amines by Reduction of Imines with the MCl2/NaBH4 (M = Co,Ni) System

A simple method for the synthesis of amines by the reduction of imines, anils and enamines, including some chiral substrates, with the MCl₂/NaBH₄/CH₃OH reagent (M = Co, Ni) in 64–82% yields is described.     

Enantioselective Zinc/BINOL‐Catalysed Alkynylation of Aldimines Generated in Situ from α‐Amido Sulfones

Chiral nonracemic N‐Cbz‐protected propargylic amines have been prepared by the addition of terminal alkynes to imines generated in situ from α‐amido sulfones in the presence of diethylzinc and BINOL‐type ligands as catalysts. The reactions give good yields and high enantioselectivities (ee values up to 95 %) for a good number of aromatic and heteroaromatic α‐amido sulfones and alkynes.     

Intramolecular Hetero‐Diels–Alder Reactions Catalyzed by BiCl3: Stereoselective Synthesis of Benzo‐Annelated Decahydrofuro[3,2‐h][1,6]naphthyridine Derivatives

A novel, efficient synthesis of a series of functionalized, benzo‐annelated decahydrofuro[3,2‐h][1,6]naphthyridine derivatives 3 has been achieved. The protocol is based on the intramolecular hetero‐Diels–Alder (IMHDA) reaction of in situ formed imines derived from an N‐prenylated sugar aldehyde 1 and different aromatic amines 2 in the presence of bismuth(III) chloride as catalyst. The reactions could be run under very mild conditions at room temperature, and were complete within 30 min, affording exclusively and stereoselectively the corresponding trans‐fused products 3 in good‐to‐excellent yields (Table).     

Safe and Efficient Reductive Methylation of Primary and Secondary Amines Using N-Methylpyrrolidine Zinc Borohydride

An efficient, general procedure for reductive methylation of primary and secondary amines with 37% formaldehyde using N-methylpyrrolidine zinc borohydride (ZBHNMP) as a reducing agent gave the corresponding tertiary amines in excellent yields. The reaction was carried out in tetrahydrofuran under neutral conditions at 0–10 °C.     

Disulfonimide‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Reduction of N‐Alkyl Imines

A chiral disulfonimide (DSI)‐catalyzed asymmetric reduction of N‐alkyl imines with Hantzsch esters as a hydrogen source in the presence of Boc₂O has been developed. The reaction delivers Boc‐protected N‐alkyl amines with excellent yields and enantioselectivity. The method tolerates a large variety of alkyl amines, thus illustrating potential for a general reductive cross‐coupling of ketones with diverse amines, and it was applied in the synthesis of the pharmaceuticals (S)‐Rivastigmine, NPS R‐568 Hydrochloride, and (R)‐Fendiline.     

Palladium(II)?NHC complexes containing benzimidazole ligand as a catalyst for C?N bond formation

The reaction of 2‐(2‐bromoethyl)‐1,3‐dioxane with 1‐alkylbenzimidazole derivatives results in the formation of the new benzimidazolium salts (1). The reaction of Pd(OAc)₂ with 1,3‐dialkylbenzimidazolium salts (1a–c) yields palladium N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes (2a–c). All synthesized compounds were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³ C NMR, IR and elemental analysis techniques which support the proposed structures. As catalysts, these new palladium complexes offer a simple and efficient methodology for the synthesis of triarylamines and secondary amines from anilines and amines and in a single step with potassium tertiary butoxide as a base. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enaminosucres et sucres halogénoacétyléniques. Communication préliminaire

Enamino- and Halogenoacetylenic sugars Traitment of an aldehydosugar ( 1 ) with secondary amines gave in an essentially quantitative yield the expected enamines ( 4–6 ). Chloro- and bromo-acetylenic sugars ( 11–14 ) were obtained in good yields by reacting with lithium methylphenylamide the corresponding gem-dihalo-olefinic sugars ( 7–10 ), whereas a Z-gem-fluoro-enamine ( 17 ) was formed when the difluoro-olefinic sugar 15 was submitted to the same reaction. The fluoro-enamine 17 is a useful synthetic intermediate allowing the preparation of several kinds of C-glycosylic compounds bearing heterocycles like isoxazole, chromone or coumarin.     

Asymmetric Mannich Reaction of Aryl Methyl Ketones with Cyclic Imines Benzo[e][1,2,3]oxathiazine 2,2‐Dioxides Catalyzed by Cinchona Alkaloid‐based Primary Amines

Aryl ketones represent problematic substrates for asymmetric Mannich reactions due to a large steric hindrance exhibited by such compound species. A highly enantioselective direct Mannich reaction of aryl methyl ketones with cyclic imine benzo[e][1,2,3]oxathiazine 2,2‐dioxides could be successfully carried out utilizing a combination of cinchona alkaloid‐derived primary amines with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA); the primary amines feature a superior catalytic efficacy over secondary amines with a variety of sterically hindered carbonyl compounds as substrates. The reaction proceeded well with various cyclic imines in 89–97 % ee and with various aryl methyl ketones in 85–98 % ee. Moreover, the aryl carbonyl of a Mannich product could be transformed to ketoxime, which further undergoes a Beckmann rearrangement to produce an amide compound while maintaining enantioselectivity.     

Reactions of Alkyl 1H,1H-Perfluoroalkyl Sulfones with Ammonia, Amines, and Hydrazines

2,2,3,3-Tetrafluoropropyl and 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl alkyl sulfones react with ammonia, primary and secondary amines, hydrazine hydrate, phenylhydrazine, and N,N-dimethylhydrazine to afford, depending on the length of the polyfluoroalkyl chain and reaction conditions, the corresponding enamines, imines, or mono- and bis-hydrazones. The bis-hydrazone obtained from phenylhydrazine and 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl benzyl sulfone is capable of undergoing further dehydrofluorination to give 5-difluoromethyl- or 5-unsubstituted 1-phenylpyrazole.