Sustainable Synthesis of Diverse Privileged Heterocycles by Palladium‐Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Isocyanide Insertion

Abstract

O(2) in, H(2)O out: Various diamines and related bisnucleophiles readily undergo oxidative isocyanide insertion with Pd(OAc)(2) (1 mol %) as the catalyst and O(2) as the terminal oxidant to give a diverse array of medicinally relevant N heterocycles. The utility of this highly sustainable method is demonstrated by a formal synthesis of the antihistamines astemizole and norastemizole.