Intermolecular Enantioselective Amination Reactions Mediated by Visible Light and a Chiral Iron Porphyrin Complex

Abstract

In the presence of 1 mol% of a chiral iron porphyrin catalyst, various 3‐arylmethyl‐substituted 2‐quinolones and 2‐pyridones underwent an enantioselective amination reaction (20 examples; 93‐99% ee). The substrates were used as the limiting reagents, and fluorinated aryl azides (1.5 equiv.) served as nitrene precursors. The reaction is triggered by visible light which allows a facile dediazotation at ambient temperature. The selectivity of the reaction is governed by a two‐point hydrogen bond interaction between the ligand of the iron catalyst and the substrate. Hydrogen bonding directs the amination to a specific hydrogen atom within the substrate that is displaced by the nitrogen substituent either in a concerted fashion or by a rebound mechanism.