Direct Aminoalkylation of Cycloalkanes

02 May 2005

Reaction of cycloalkanes with dimethylzinc in the presence of air leads to cycloalkyl radicals, which can react with imines to give aminoalkylation products (Yamada K et al, Tetrahedron Lett, 2004, 45, 6595). The reaction is much less successful when diethylzinc or other radical initiating agents are used. Other cycloalkanes also work well with the Me_²Zn system.