A Practical Electrophilic Nitrogen Source for the Synthesis of Chiral Primary Amines by Copper-Catalyzed Hydroamination

A mild and practical method for the catalytic installation of the amino group across alkenes and alkynes has long been recognized as a significant challenge in synthetic chemistry. As the direct hydroamination of olefins using ammonia requires harsh conditions, the development of suitable electrophilic aminating reagents for formal hydroamination methods is of importance. Herein, we describe the use of 1,2-benzisoxazole as a practical electrophilic primary amine source. Using this heterocycle as a new amino group delivery agent, a mild and general protocol for the copper-hydride-catalyzed hydroamination of alkenes and alkynes to form primary amines was developed. This method provides access to a broad range of chiral alpha-branched primary amines and linear primary amines, as demonstrated by the efficient synthesis of the antiretroviral drug maraviroc and the formal synthesis of several other pharmaceutical agents.