A Counterion/Ligand-Tuned Chemo- and Enantioselective Copper- Catalyzed Intermolecular Radical 1,2-Carboamination of Alkenes

The copper-catalyzed enantioselective intermolecular radical 1,2-carboamination of alkenes with readily accessible alkyl halides is an appealing strategy for producing chiral amine scaffolds. The challenge arises from the easily occurring atom transfer radical addition between alkyl halides and alkenes and the issue of enantiocontrol. We herein describe a radical alkene 1,2-carboamination with sulfoximines in a highly chemo-and enantioselective manner. The key to the success of this process is the conceptual design of a counterion/highly sterically demanded ligand coeffect to promote the ligand exchange of copper(I) with sulfoximines and forge chiral C-N bonds between alkyl radicals and the chiral copper(II) complex. The reaction covers alkenes bearing distinct electronic properties, such as aryl-, heteroaryl-, carbonyl-, and aminocarbonyl-substituted ones, and various radical precursors, including alkyl chlorides, bromides, iodides, and the CF3 source. Facile transformations deliver many chiral amine building blocks of interest in organic synthesis and related areas.

Automated summary

This paper presents a copper-catalyzed enantioselective intermolecular radical 1,2-carboamination reaction using readily accessible alkyl halides and alkenes. The success of this method is attributed to the conceptual design of a counterion/highly sterically demanded ligand coeffect, which promotes the ligand exchange and formation of chiral C-N bonds. The reaction is versatile and delivers various chiral amine building blocks of interest in organic synthesis.