Oxidative C(sp3)–H amidation of tertiary arylamines with nitriles†
Abstract
The first amidation of tertiary arylamines with nitriles via a cascade dehydrogenation/heterocoupling/addition reaction between α-C–H bonds of tertiary amines and nitrogen atoms of nitriles has been developed. The use of copper(I) iodide as a Lewis acid catalyst, N-hydroxyphthalimide as a free radical initiator, and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl as not only an oxidant but also a nucleophile enabled the conversion of tertiary aromatic amines with nitriles into secondary amides.