Zirconium Catalyzed Hydroaminoalkylation for the Synthesis of α-Arylated Amines and N-Heterocycles

The zirconium catalyzed hydroaminoalkylation of alkenes with N-aryl- and sterically demanding N-alkyl-α-arylated secondary amines by using commercially available Zr(NMe₂)₄ is reported. N-phenyl- and N-isopropylbenzylamine are used as amine substrates to establish the alkene substrate scope. Exclusively linear products are obtained in the presence of bulky vinylsilanes. Challenging α-heteroarylated amines and functionalized alkene substrates are compatible with this easy to use catalyst, affording a new disconnection strategy for the atom- and step-economic preparation of selectively substituted saturated α-arylated heterocycles.