Cu(I)-Catalyzed C−H α-Amination of Aryl Ketones: Direct Synthesis of Imidazolinones

This paper describes an alpha-amination process of aryl ketones using CuCl as catalyst and di-tert-butyldiaziridinone as the nitrogen source. A variety of imidazolinone derivatives are prepared in moderate yields under mild conditions. A possible catalytic cycle is proposed for this reaction.