Copper-Catalyzed Enantioselective ε-Site Yne-Allylic Amination

The development of highly selective and sustainable catalytic methods for the synthesis of enantiomerically chiral amines is of great interest and importance in both the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries. Here, we have developed a remote asymmetric copper-catalyzed ε-site yne-allylic amination of yne-allylic esters. With earth-abundant metal copper catalysts, a wide range of yne-allylic esters and aliphatic amines can be efficiently converted into highly enantioenriched chiral amines products. Moreover, the vitally important transformation of enantioenriched tertiary amines into optically active primary amines further demonstrates the synthetic utility of this method in the preparation of various synthetic building blocks, ligands, and drugs.