Cp*Ir Complex-Catalyzed <i>N</i>-Heterocyclization of Primary Amines with Diols: A New Catalytic System for Environmentally Benign Synthesis of Cyclic Amines

Abstract

[reaction: see text] A new efficient method for the N-heterocyclization of primary amines with diols catalyzed by a CpIr complex was developed. A variety of five-, six-, and seven-membered cyclic amines were synthesized in good to excellent yields with the formation of only water as a byproduct. A two-step asymmetric synthesis of (S)-2-phenylpiperidine was also achieved using (R)-1-phenylethylamine as a starting primary amine.