A metal-free
regioselective C(sp3)–H amination
of amides using N-haloimides in the presence of lithium tert-butoxide and visible light is presented herein. This
photoexcited approach is straightforward, and it aminates a wide variety
of amides under mild conditions without the use of photocatalysts,
external radical initiators, or oxidants. A halogen-bonded intermediate
between the tert-butoxide base and the N-haloimide is proposed to be responsible for the increased photoreactivity.
Calculations show that the formation of this electron donor–acceptor
complex presents an exergonic energy profile.
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