UC San Diego

Nitrogen-containing compounds are an essential motif in all disciplines of chemistry and the efficient synthesis of these frameworks is a highly sought-after goal. Presented here is a summary of recent efforts conducted by our group to develop radical-mediated amination strategies for the formal synthesis of primary amines from alkenes with exclusive anti-Markovnikov regioselectivity. We have found that N-hydroxyphthalimide is an effective reagent capable of supplying both the N and H atoms for alkene hydroamination in a group transfer radical addition-type mechanism. Furthermore, allyl-oxyphthalimide derivatives are similarly capable of radical group transfers and allow for the aminoallylation of an external alkene.