[Alpha]-amination of ketones and protected ketones using dialkyl azodicarboxylates as a nitrogen source
Abstract
[Alpha]-Amino ketones can serve as important intermediates for the synthesis of biologically active molecules, and making these precursors in a practical manner has long been a challenge for organic chemists. The oxygen-carbon-carbon-nitrogen (O-C-C-N) sequence is common in natural and synthetic compounds of biological interest, due in part to their relatedness to peptides. Because of the many known carbonyl transformations, [alpha]-amino ketones have the potential to form various amine derivatives. Herein we present our research endeavors which led to several novel methods of forming this type of functionality. These endeavors culminated with the development of a two-step hydrazidation/N-N bond cleavage technique for forming [alpha]-amino ketals--which can be readily hydrolyzed to [alpha]-amino ketones.