An Efficient Synthesis of Nitrogen Heterocycles by Cp*Ir-Catalyzed N-Cycloalkylation of Primary Amines with Diols

Abstract

A new efficient method for the N-cycloalkylation of primary amines with diols catalyzed by a Cp*Ir complex have been developed. A variety of five-, six-, and seven-membered cyclic amines are synthesized in good to excellent yields in environmentally benign and atom economical manner with the formation of only water as a coproduct. A large scale synthesis of N-benzylpiperidine and a two-step asymmetric synthesis of (S)-2-phenylpiperidine using (R)-1-phenylethylamine as a starting primary amine have been also achieved.