Mitsunobu Reaction Using Basic Amines as Pronucleophiles

J Org Chem. 2017 Jul 7;82(13):6604-6614. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.7b00622. Epub 2017 Jun 15.

Abstract

A novel protocol for extending the scope of the Mitsunobu reaction to include amine nucleophiles to form C-N bonds through the utilization of N-heterocyclic phosphine-butane (NHP-butane) has been developed. Both aliphatic alcohols and benzyl alcohols are suitable substrates for C-N bond construction. Various acidic nucleophiles such as benzoic acids, phenols, thiophenol, and secondary sulfonamide also provide the desired products of esters, ethers, thioether, and tertiary sulfonamide with 43-93% yields. Importantly, C-N bond-containing pharmaceuticals, Piribedil and Cinnarizine, have been synthesized in one step from the commercial amines under this Mitsunobu reaction system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't