Oxidative β-C-H sulfonylation of cyclic amines

Chem Sci. 2018 Jan 22;9(8):2295-2300. doi: 10.1039/c7sc04900e. eCollection 2018 Feb 28.

Abstract

A transition metal-free strategy for the dehydrogenative β-sulfonylation of tertiary cyclic amines is described. N-Iodosuccinimide facilitates regioselective oxidative sulfonylation at C-H bonds positioned β to the nitrogen atom of tertiary amines, installing enaminyl sulfone functionality in cyclic systems. Mild reaction conditions, broad functional group tolerance and a wide substrate scope are demonstrated. The nucleophilic character of the enaminyl sulfone is harnessed, demonstrating potential application for scaffold diversification.