C–H functionalization of tertiary amines by cross dehydrogenative coupling reactions: solvent-free synthesis of α-aminonitriles and β-nitroamines under aerobic condition

Abstract

A solvent-free synthesis of α-aminonitriles and β-nitroamines by oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling under aerobic condition is reported. A catalytic amount of molybdenum(VI) acetylacetonoate was found to catalyze cyanation of tertiary amines to form α-aminonitriles, whereas vanadium pentoxide was found to promote aza-Henry reaction to furnish β-nitroamines. Both of these environmentally benign reactions are performed in the absence of solvents using molecular oxygen as an oxidant.