Direct C-H Activation
Mechanism + Description
Mainly via generation of nitrenes and subsequent insertion into A proximal or inter molecular C-H bond
General comments
An emerging area is direct amination of C-H bonds at sp3 centres to create linear amines or heterocycles. Typically di-rhodium catalysts are employed. Potentially a very quick and green way to assemble amines, but somewhat hindered in uptake by the catalysts and the generation of the nitrene is often accommodated by poor mass economy chemistry. Amines with electron-withdrawing groups preferred (N-tosyl etc)
Key references
Org. Process Res. Dev., 2011, 15 758–762 Rhodium-Catalyzed C–H amination, an Enabling Method for Chemical Synthesis