Cu/Fe Catalyzed Intermolecular Oxidative Amination of Benzylic C-H Bonds.

We report a Cu/Fe co-catalyzed Ritter-type C-H activation/amination reaction that allows efficient and selective intermolecular functionalization of benzylic C-H bonds. This new reaction is featured by simple reaction conditions, readily available reagents and general substrate scope, allowing facile synthesis of biologically interesting nitrogen containing heterocycles. The Cu and Fe salts were found to play distinct roles in this cooperative catalysis.