Construction of Functionalized Azapolycyclic Architectures via Formal Amide Insertion at a Low Catalyst Loading of Copper Trifluoroacetylacetonate

A formal amide insertion reaction for the synthesis of nitrogen-bridged polycyclic frameworks with diverse functionalities was developed using a sustainable copper catalyst as an advantageous alternative to precious rhodium catalysts. The remarkable feature of this methodology is the amount of catalyst loading (0.05 mol%). The optimized reaction conditions enable access to aromatic ring-fused 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane, 9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane, and 6-azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane derivatives in moderate to excellent yields.