Divergent reaction: metal & oxidant free direct C–H aryloxylation and hydride free formal reductive N-benzylation of N-heterocycles

Abstract

Metal, oxidant and other additive-free novel methods for direct C–H aryloxylation of aliphatic amines are developed. In the presence of excess amine, the course of the reaction was diverted, producing various arylmethylamines via hydride-free formal reductive amination. Involvement of a quinone methide intermediate was revealed from mechanistic studies.