Masaki Ohta, Matthias P. Quick, Junichiro Yamaguchi, Bernhard Wünsch, and Kenichiro Itami Chem. Asian J. ASAP.

DOI:10.1002/asia.200900157

New way to benzylic amines!

Fe-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of electron-rich heteroarenes and methylamines is established. Under the influence of FeCl₂/bipy catalyst and oxidant (pyridine N-oxide or H₂O₂), thiophenes, furans, indoles, and azaindoles cross-couple with methylamines to furnish the corresponding benzylic amines. An intramolecular CH/CH coupling of a thiophene is observed to afford a good ligand for the ₁ receptor protein.