Amines made easily: A highly selective hydroaminomethylation of olefins

A highly chemo- and regioselective hydroaminomethylation of simple as well as functionalized alpha-olefins using a cationic rhodium precatalyst together with Xantphos as ligand is reported. Studies of the influence of ligands and reaction conditions led to an unprecedented selective hydroaminomethylation procedure. The novel procedure constitutes an economically attractive and environmentally favorable synthesis of secondary and tertiary aliphatic amines.