Metal-Catalyzed Amine Syntheses Using Aminoheteroaromatics as Ligand Precursors

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Sven Doye
• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2013 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 244744091

The aim of the project is to synthesize early transition metal complexes from 2-aminopyridines or corresponding aminoheteroaromatics and to use them as catalysts for innovative methods for the synthesis of amines. The investigations will mainly focus on two industrially promising transformations: the hydroaminoalkylation of alkenes, 1,3-dienes and styrenes as well as the hydroamination of alkynes and alkenes. For both reactions, it is envisioned to reveal detailed structure-activity-relationships in order to identify significantly improved catalysts, e.g. with increased activity and/or better selectivity. In the case of the intermolecular hydroaminoalkylation of alkenes, 1,3-dienes and styrenes, one major goal is to expand the scope of the process in order to achieve efficient reactions of primary amines, dialkyl amines as well as 1,1- and 1,2-disubstituted alkenes. In addition, it will be attempted to control the regioselectivity in favor of the industrially important linear products and to achieve corresponding reactions of alkynes and allenes for the first time. Parallel and mostly analogous studies dealing with the hydroamination of alkenes and alkynes will mainly focus on the identification of new catalysts with improved activity. The long term goal of this part of the project is to achieve intermolecular hydroamination reactions of non-activated alkenes. Finally, corresponding studies will also be initiated for additional catalytic processes.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants