N-tosyloxycarbamates as reagents in rhodium-catalyzed C-H amination reactions

Metal nitrenes for use in C-H insertion reactions were obtained from N-tosyloxycarbamates in the presence of an inorganic base and a rhodium(II) dimer complex catalyst. The C-H amination reaction proceeds smoothly, and the potassium tosylate that forms as a byproduct is easily removed by filtration or an aqueous workup. This new methodology allows the amination of ethereal, benzylic, tertiary, secondary, and even primary C-H bonds. The intramolecular reaction provides an interesting route to various substituted oxazolidinones, whereas the intermolecular reaction gives trichloroethoxycarbonyl-protected amines that can be isolated with moderate to excellent yields and that cleave easily to produce the corresponding free amine. The development, scope, and limitations of the reactions are discussed herein. Isotopic effects and the electronic nature of the transition state are used to discuss the mechanism of the reaction.