Zirconium Hydroaminoalkylation. An Alternative Disconnection for the Catalytic Synthesis of α-Arylated Primary Amines.

Primary amine products have been prepared using zirconium-catalyzed hydroaminoalkylation of alkenes with N-silylated benzylamine substrates. Catalysis using commercially available Zr(NMe2)4 affords an alternative disconnection to access α-arylated primary amines upon aqueous workup. Substrate-dependent regio- and diastereoselectivity of the reaction is observed. Bulky substituents on the terminal alkene exclusively generate the linear regioisomer. This atom-economic catalytic strategy for the synthesis of building blocks that can undergo further synthetic elaboration is highlighted in the preparation of trifluoroethylated α-arylated amines.