Synthesis 2004(9): 1497-1503  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-822403
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

MgI2 as an Additive in Ir(I)-Catalyzed Addition of Silylacetylenes to Imines: Expeditious Synthesis of Propargylic Amines

Christian Fischer, Erick M. Carreira*
Laboratorium für Organische Chemie, ETH Hönggerberg, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
Fax: +41(1)6322830; e-Mail: Carreira@org.chem.ethz.ch;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 27 April 2004
Publication Date:
08 June 2004 (online)

Abstract

We report a dramatic improvement in the [IrCl(COD)]2-catalyzed addition reaction of silylacetylenes and imines with 2-4 mol% MgI2 as additive. The reaction is very general, with a wide range of imines providing the amine products in excellent yields under convenient reaction conditions. Importantly, the reaction can be conducted with as low as 0.5 mol% catalyst and proceeds in THF as well as in the absence of solvent.

15

Approximate market prices for late-transition metals in January (London) were as follows: Ru, 150 USD/mol; Ir, 600 USD/mol; Pd, 900 USD/mol; Rh, 1900 USD/mol; Pt, 6000 USD/mol.

22

The conversion can be conveniently determined via the integration of the t-Bu singlets [δ (t-Bu imine) 1.00 ppm → δ (t-Bu amine) 0.87 ppm].

24

At the expense of using 5 mol% [IrCl(COD)]2, an increased yield of 85% can be obtained.