Rhodium(II)‐Catalyzed Oxo‐Amination of Aryl Cyclopropanes

Abstract

A rhodium(II)‐catalyzed method is described for synthesizing β‐amino ketones from aryl cyclopropanes, utilizing water as an oxygen source and N‐fluorobis(benzenesulfonamide) as a commercially available nitrogen source. This approach offers good substrate tolerance under mild conditions, providing a novel and practical route for β‐amino ketone synthesis. Mechanistic studies reveal a sequential cascade pathway initiated by single‐electron transfer facilitated by the rhodium(II) catalyst, followed by hydrogen atom transfer and radical polar crossover steps. These insights underscore the potential of rhodium(II) in driving radical amination reactions, enhancing the synthesis of β‐amino ketones from simple precursors.