Cu(I)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination of unactivated alkenes bearing a primary or secondary amino group in alcoholic solvents.

The Cu-Xantphos system [Cu(O-t-Bu)-Xantphos, 10-15 mol %] catalyzes the intramolecular hydroamination of unactivated terminal alkenes bearing an unprotected aminoalkyl substituent in alcoholic solvents, giving pyrrolidine and piperidine derivatives in excellent yields. This system is applicable to both primary and secondary amines and tolerates a variety of functional groups.