A Catalytic, Bronsted Base Strategy for Intermolecular Allylic C-H Amination

A Bronsted base activation mode for oxidative, Pd(II)/sulfoxide-catalyzed, intermolecular C-H allylic amination is reported. N,N-diisopropylethylamine was found to promote amination of unactivated terminal olefins, forming the corresponding linear allylic amine products with high levels of stereo-, regio-, and chemoselectivity. The predictable and high selectivity of this C-H oxidation method enables late-stage incorporation of nitrogen into advanced synthetic intermediates and natural products.