Iridium(I)-catalyzed regio- and enantioselective allylic amidation

Ir(I)-catalyzed intermolecular allylic amidation of ethyl allyl carbonates with soft nitrogen nucleophiles under completely 'salt-free' conditions is described. A combination of [Ir(COD)Cl]2, a chiral phosphoramidite ligand L∗, and DBU as a base in THF effects the reaction. The reaction appears to be quite general, accommodating a wide variety of R-groups and soft nitrogen nucleophiles, and proceeds with excellent regio- and enantioselectivities to afford the branched N-protected allylic amines. The developed reaction was conveniently utilized in the asymmetric synthesis of N-Boc protected α- and β-amino acids as well as (−)-cytoxazone.