Iron-Catalyzed Allylic Amination Directly from Allylic Alcohols

Abstract

Allylic amination, directly from alcohols, has been demonstrated without any Lewis acid activators using an efficient and regiospecific molecular iron catalyst. Various amines and alcohols were employed and the reaction proceeded through the oxidation/reduction (redox) pathway. A direct one-step synthesis of common drugs, such as cinnarizine and nafetifine, was exhibited from cinnamyl alcohol that produced water as side product.

Keywords: alcohols; allylic compounds; amination; hydrogen borrowing; iron.