Copper-Catalyzed Bromination of C(sp3)-H Bonds Distal to Functional Groups

Selective bromination of gamma-methylene C(sp(3))-H bonds of aliphatic amides and delta-methylene C(sp(3))-H bonds of nosyl-protected alkyl amines are developed using NBS as the brominating reagent and catalytic amount of Cu-II/phenanthroline complexes as the catalyst. Aryl and benzylic C II bonds at other locations remain intact during this directed radical abstraction reaction.