Volume 63, Issue 51 e202412299
Research Article

Anilines Formation via Molybdenum-Catalyzed Intermolecular Reaction of Ynones with Allylic Amines

Yi-Zhe Yu

Yi-Zhe Yu

State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, 361005 Xiamen, P. R. China

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Hong-Yi Su

Hong-Yi Su

State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, 361005 Xiamen, P. R. China

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Prof. Dr. Chun-Xiang Zhuo

Corresponding Author

Prof. Dr. Chun-Xiang Zhuo

State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, 361005 Xiamen, P. R. China

State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 200032 Shanghai, P. R. China

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First published: 10 September 2024
Citations: 3

Graphical Abstract

An unprecedented and efficient approach for the synthesis of multi-substituted anilines was reported. With a simple Mo-catalyst, a wide range of 2,4-di and 2,4,6-trisubstituted anilines, some of which were otherwise challenging to access, were efficiently prepared in generally good yields from readily accessible ynones and allylic amines. This process was robust, modular and ready for the syntheses of various valuable multi-substituted anilines.

Abstract

The multi-substituted anilines are widely found in organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry and material science. The quest for robust and efficient methods to construct a diverse array of these compounds using readily accessible starting materials under simple reaction conditions is of utmost importance. Here, we report an unprecedented and efficient approach for the synthesis of 2,4-di and 2,4,6-trisubstituted anilines. With a simple molybdenum(VI) catalyst, a wide range of 2,4-di and 2,4,6-trisubstituted anilines were efficiently prepared in generally good to excellent yields from readily accessible ynones and allylic amines. The synthetic potential of this methodology was further underscored by its applications in several synthetic transformations, gram-scale reactions, and derivatization of bioactive molecules. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggested that this aniline formation might involve a cascade of aza-Michael addition, [1,6]-proton shift, cyclization, dehydration, 6π-electrocyclization, and aromatization. This novel strategy provided a robust, simple, and modular approach for the syntheses of various valuable di- or trisubstituted anilines, some of which were otherwise challenging to access.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available in the Supporting Information of this article.

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