Rh(III)-Catalyzed Three-Component Syn-Carboamination of Alkenes Using Arylboronic Acids and Dioxazolones

Herein we report a Rh(III)-catalyzed three-component carboamination of alkenes from readily available aryl boronic acids as a carbon source and dioxazolones as nitrogen electrophiles. This protocol provides facile access to valuable amine products including a-amino acid derivatives in good yield and excellent regioselectivity without the need for a directing functionality. A series of experiments suggest a mechanism in which the Rh(III) catalyst undergoes transmetalation with the aryl boronic acid followed by turnover limiting, alkene migratory insertion into the Rh(III)-aryl bond. Subsequently, fast Rh-nitrene formation provides the syn-carboamination product selectively after reductive elimination and proto-demetalation. Importantly, the protocol provides 3-component coupling products in preference to a variety of 2-component undesired by-products.