Bi(OTf)₃-Catalyzed One-Step Catalytic Synthesis of <i>N</i>-Boc or <i>N</i>-Cbz Protected α-Branched Amines

Abstract

In this paper, N-Boc and N-Cbz protected α-branched amines are synthesized directly from commercially available aromatic/heteroaromatic compounds, aldehydes, and tert-butyl or benzyl carbamate bearing a variety of substituents. Bismuth(III) triflate is found to be a highly effective catalyst for this one-pot, three-component coupling reaction. In addition, the use of mild reaction conditions, low catalytic loading, easy removal of the N-protective group, and one-step synthesis under "open-flask" are advantages of the present procedure.