N-Methyl Transfer Induced Copper-Mediated Oxidative Diamination of Alkynes

A novel intramolecular oxidative diamination of bis(2-aminophenyl)acetylene for the synthesis of the structurally intriguing irconjugated polyheterocyclic scaffold, 5,10-dihydroindolo[3,2-b]indole (DHII), has been developed under Cu(hfacac)(2)/O-2 oxidation systems. The structure design of bis(2-aminophenyl)acetylene bearing both N,N-dimethylamine and primary amine groups is crucial for constructing the corresponding DHII scaffold. Notably, an intermolecular N -methyl transfer from the nitrogen atom of N,N-dimethylamine to the primary amine takes place, which is a critical step for the successful implementation of the present annulation process.