Silver-catalysed intramolecular hydroamination of alkynes with trichloroacetimidates

Silver(I) complexes catalyse the intramolecular addition of trichloro-acetimidates to alkynes. In the absence of a ligand, the selectivity of the reaction is dependent upon the nature of the counter-anion and solvent. The introduction of non-chelating nitrogeneous ligands suppresses competitive Bronsted acid catalysis, improving the yield and selectivity of the reaction.