Use of a Readily Removable Auxiliary Group for the Synthesis of Pyrrolidones by the Palladium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Amination of Unactivated γ C(sp³)H Bonds

Abstract

Easy on, easy off: Directing groups found to promote the palladium-catalyzed amination of γ C(sp(3) )H and C(sp(2) )H bonds of secondary amides included 5-methoxy-8-aminoquinoline, which can be removed under mild conditions (see scheme; CAN=ceric ammonium nitrate). In conjunction with a β-CH methylation or γ-CH arylation step, the γ-C(sp(3) )H amination provided access to complex pyrrolidones from readily available precursors.