Volume 64, Issue 28 e202507200
Communication

Iridium-Catalyzed Asymmetric β-Selective Hydroamination of Enamides for the Synthesis of 1,2-Diamines

Yu-Wen Sun

Yu-Wen Sun

Center of Basic Molecular Science (CBMS), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 China

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Hao-Tian Tan

Hao-Tian Tan

Center of Basic Molecular Science (CBMS), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 China

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Sheng-Nan Sun

Sheng-Nan Sun

Center of Basic Molecular Science (CBMS), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 China

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Prof. Dr. Bi-Jie Li

Corresponding Author

Prof. Dr. Bi-Jie Li

Center of Basic Molecular Science (CBMS), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 China

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

Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 China

E-mail: [email protected]

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First published: 30 April 2025

Graphical Abstract

Internal enamides were found to undergo enantioselective hydroamination catalyzed by a cationic iridium complex. An amide group effectively directs the catalyst to achieve unconventional β-regioselectivity with up to 99% ee. This coordination assistance strategy creates an efficient pathway for synthesizing valuable enantioenriched 1,2-diamine derivatives.

Abstract

An iridium-catalyzed highly enantioselective hydroamination of electron-rich alkenes has been developed. The coordination assistance of the amide group to the metal center effectively overrides the inherent electronic preference of N─H addition to an enamide, delivering unconventional β-selectivity. Phthalimide is utilized as a readily removable amination agent. This methodology enables direct access to enantio-enriched 1,2-diamines from readily available materials with 100% atom economy, exclusive regioselectivity, and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee).

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statements

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

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