Improved synthesis of phenylethylamine derivatives by Negishi cross-coupling reactions

Trifluoroacetamido-protected β-aminoalkylzinc iodides undergo Negishi cross-coupling reaction with aryl iodides in moderate to excellent yields (42-84%) based on the corresponding trifluoroacetamido-protected β-aminoalkyl iodides, employing a catalyst prepared in situ from Pd2(dba)3 and SPhos (1:2 M ratio). In general, meta- and para-substituted aryl iodides give good results using relatively low levels of catalyst [0.25 mol % Pd2(dba)3], but more hindered ortho-substituted examples require higher catalyst loadings. The preparation of trifluoroacetamido-protected β-aminoalkyl iodides is straightforward, and the intermediates are significantly more stable than the corresponding Boc-protected derivatives.