Cu-Catalyzed Three-Component Carboamination of Electron Deficient Olefins

The copper-catalyzed three-component
carboamination of atropates
for the synthesis of α-aryl amino acid derivatives is presented.
The scope of the reaction is explored with respect to all three coupling
partners: the alkyl halide, the atropate, and the aryl amine. A total
of 41 examples are included, with yields of ≤92%. Both primary
and secondary aryl amines participate in the carboamination along
with α-haloesters, nitriles, and perfluoroiodoalkanes. Mechanistic
investigations support a radical mechanism involving Cu-mediated C–N
bond formation with the radical adduct.