Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026

A Microwave-Assisted Direct Heteroarylation of Ketones Using Transition Metal Catalysis
Published on: February 16, 2020
Selective C-H activation alpha to primary amines. Bridging metallaaziridines for catalytic, intramolecular
Jason A Bexrud1, Patrick Eisenberger, David C Leitch
1Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, B.C, Canada, V6T 1Z1.
Abstract:
Selective alpha-C-H activation results in the synthesis of the first bridging metallaaziridine complex for the catalytic alpha-alkylation of primary amines. Reaction development led to the preparation of new Zr 2-pyridonate complexes for this useful transformation. No nitrogen protecting groups are required for this reaction, which is capable of assembling quaternary chiral centers alpha to nitrogen. Preliminary mechanistic investigations suggest bridging metallaaziridine species are the catalytically active intermediates for this alpha-functionalization reaction, while monomeric imido complexes furnish azepane hydroamination products.
Related Concept Videos
Preparation of Amines: Alkylation of Ammonia and Amines
Each alkylation step makes the nitrogen center more nucleophilic, which triggers successive alkylations until a quaternary ammonium salt is formed. Considering...
Preparation of 1° Amines: Azide Synthesis
Azide ions act as good nucleophiles and react with unhindered alkyl halides to form alkyl azides. Alkyl azides do not participate in further nucleophilic substitution reactions, thereby eliminating the chances of polyalkylated products. Alkyl azides are reduced by hydride-based reducing agents, like lithium aluminum...
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Preparation of Alkynes: Alkylation Reaction
Alkylation of terminal alkynes with primary alkyl halides in the presence of a strong base like sodium amide is one of the common methods for the synthesis of longer carbon-chain alkynes. For example, treatment of 1-propyne with sodium amide followed by reaction with ethyl bromide yields 2-pentyne.
Preparation of 1° Amines: Gabriel Synthesis
Strong bases like NaOH or KOH deprotonate the phthalimide to form the corresponding anion, which acts as a nucleophile. Further, the anion attacks an...
α-Alkylation of Ketones via Enolate Ions

