Synlett 2003(14): 2171-2174  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-42081
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Base Effect on the Palladium Catalyzed α-Arylation of N-Benzyl-2-Piperidinones

Janine Cossy*, Arnault de Filippis, Domingo Gomez Pardo
Laboratoire de Chimie Organique associé au CNRS, ESPCI, 10 rue Vauquelin, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France
Fax: +33(1)40794660; e-Mail: janine.cossy@espci.fr;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 11 July 2003
Publication Date:
15 October 2003 (online)

Abstract

A very simple method for obtaining α-arylated N-benzyl-2-piperidinones in high yields is described. The use of s-BuLi as the base and Pd(dba)2 as the catalyst are the key factors.

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It is worth noting that the yield was calculated from bromobenzene.

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Reaction Procedure for α-Arylation of N -Benzyl-2-Piperidinones: To a stirred solution of the N-benzyl-2-piperidone (1.1 mmol, 2.2 equiv) in THF (2 mL) at 0 °C was added a solution of s-BuLi (0.7 mL, 2.0 equiv). After 20 min, a solution of ZnCl2 (0.150 g, 1.1 mmol, 2.2 equiv) in THF (1 mL) was added, and 20 min later the solution of zinc enolate was cannulated to a solution of 2-dicyclohexylphosphanyl-2′-(N,N-dimethylamino)biphenyl (L) (0.015 g, 37.5 µmol, 7.5 mol%), Pd(dba)2 (0.014 g, 25.0 µmol, 5.0 mol%) and aryl bromide (0.5 mmol, 1.0 equiv) in THF (1 mL). The solution was then heated in an oil bath at 65 °C for 8 h, cooled to r.t., quenched with aq NH4Cl and extracted with Et2O. The organic phase was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was then purified by chromatography on silica gel using 80:20 or 70:30 cyclohexane-EtOAc.