Amination of benzylic C-H bonds by aryl azides catalysed by Co-II(porphyrin) complexes. A new reaction leading to secondary amines and imines

Co-II(porphyrin) complexes catalyse the reaction of aromatic azides, ArN3, with hydrocarbons containing a benzylic group, (RRRCH)-R-1-R-2-C-3, to give the corresponding amines, (RRRC)-R-1-R-2-C-3-NHAr. When at least one of the R-1-R-3 substituents is hydrogen, the catalytic reaction proceeds further to give the imines (RRC)-R-1-C-2=NAr in good yields.