Efficient synthesis of α-amino secondary amides by direct aminocarbonylation of N-Boc-imines using carbamoylsilane as an amide source

A novel and practical procedure for the preparation of α-amino secondary amides by the aminocarbonylation of N-Boc-imines using carbamoylsilanes bearing methoxymethyl group as secondary amides source is presented herein. The protocol tolerates N-Boc-imines bearing different groups, including aryl, double bond conjugated aryl, heteroaryl and aliphatic groups. The reactions provide good to excellent yields of the products under mild and catalysts-free conditions. The electronic property and the steric hindrance of substituent on the N-Boc-imines affect the reaction.