An efficient method to convert lactams and amides into 2,2-dialkylated amines
Alessandro Agosti1, Sebastian Britto, Philippe Renaud
1Universität Bern, Departement für Chemie und Biochemie, Freiestrasse 3, 3012-Bern, Switzerland.
Organic Letters
|March 5, 2008
Summary
A new method synthesizes gem-2,2-disubstituted tertiary amines from lactams and amides. This approach utilizes thioiminium ions and various organometallic reagents for efficient amine construction.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Synthetic Chemistry
Background:
- Tertiary amines are crucial building blocks in pharmaceuticals and materials science.
- Efficient synthesis of gem-2,2-disubstituted tertiary amines remains a synthetic challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a practical and versatile method for synthesizing gem-2,2-disubstituted tertiary amines.
- To explore the utility of thioiminium intermediates in amine synthesis.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of thioiminium ions from lactams and amides.
- Reaction of thioiminium ions with organometallic reagents (allylmagnesium, benzylmagnesium, primary alkylcerium).
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of gem-2,2-disubstituted tertiary amines.
- Demonstration of broad substrate scope with various organometallic reagents.
- A practical and efficient synthetic route is established.
Conclusions:
- The reported method provides a valuable new route to gem-2,2-disubstituted tertiary amines.
- This strategy offers a practical alternative for accessing complex amine structures.
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Various carboxylic acid derivatives (such as acid chlorides, esters, and anhydrides) can be used for the acylation of amines to yield amides. The reaction requires two equivalents of amines. The first amine molecule functions as a nucleophile and attacks the carbonyl carbon to produce a tetrahedral intermediate. This is followed by the loss of the leaving group and restoration of the C=O bond.
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In the first step of the aminolysis mechanism, the amine attacks the carbonyl carbon of the acyl chloride to form a tetrahedral intermediate. In the second step, the carbonyl group is re-formed with the elimination of a chloride...
In the first step of the aminolysis mechanism, the amine attacks the carbonyl carbon of the acyl chloride to form a tetrahedral intermediate. In the second step, the carbonyl group is re-formed with the elimination of a chloride...
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Amide reduction with strong reducing agents like lithium aluminum hydride proceeds through a nucleophilic acyl substitution to form amines. Primary, secondary, and tertiary amides yield primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, respectively.
Amide reduction requires two equivalents of the reducing agent, acting as a source of hydride ions. As shown in the figure, the reaction is initiated with a nucleophilic attack by the hydride ion at the carbonyl carbon to form a tetrahedral intermediate.
Amide reduction requires two equivalents of the reducing agent, acting as a source of hydride ions. As shown in the figure, the reaction is initiated with a nucleophilic attack by the hydride ion at the carbonyl carbon to form a tetrahedral intermediate.
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Each alkylation step makes the nitrogen center more nucleophilic, which triggers successive alkylations until a quaternary ammonium salt is formed. Considering...
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Subsequently, the amine acts as a nucleophile that attacks the acylating agent to form a tetrahedral intermediate. In the...
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Subsequently, the amine acts as a nucleophile that attacks the acylating agent to form a tetrahedral intermediate. In the...


