Catalytic and Atom-Economic C −C Bond Formation: Alkyl Tantalum Ureates for Hydroaminoalkylation

Abstract Atom-economic and regioselective C −C bond formation has been achieved by rapid C−H alkylation of unprotected secondary arylamines with unactivated alkenes. The combination of Ta(CH2SiMe3)3Cl2, and a ureate N,O-chelating-ligand salt gives catalytic systems prepared in situ that can realize high yields of β-alkylated aniline derivatives from either terminal or internal alkene substrates. These new catalyst systems realize C−H alkylation in as little as one hour and for the first time a 1:1 stoichiometry of alkene and amine substrates results in high yielding syntheses of isolated amine products by simple filtration and concentration.