Dual Mn/Ni-catalysed functionalization of unreactive sites of amines

With most bioactive molecules, such as pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals, being complex amines, efficient synthesis and functionalization is of crucial importance.

Although much progress has been achieved, conventional strategies, especially those targeting the functionalizations of less reactive sites, are particularly ineffective.

The current methods typically require forcing conditions, such as strong oxidizing agents and stoichiometric organometallic reagents or the installation of directing groups and N-protected functionalities, that jeopardize their utility in practical synthesis.

To address these limitations, herein, we propose a new strategy for the direct and efficient functionalization of amine frameworks at their otherwise unreactive sites.

Specifically, I will explore the dual Mn/Ni-catalytic systems, where the unique features of the Mn complexes drive the temporary activation of an amine generating a transient reactive imine intermediate, which in turn undergoes the functionalization step enabled by the Ni complexes.

Attractively, the overall transformation employs Earth-abundant metals and occurs directly in ‘one pot’ without any stochiometric activating reagents, thereby underscoring the high atom economy enabled by multicatalysis. The mechanistic studies will be used to untangle catalytic aspects assisting the rational methodology development.

Attractively, a range of functionalizations, including arylation, alkylation, olefination, and halogenations at different sites can be achieved, which will open up innovative routes to industrially important and value-added chemicals.

This highly original project combines the strengths of complex systems chemistry with the power of catalysis to address the current limitations of organic synthesis, yielding a project of excellent, innovative science that will exploit my unique expertise in Mn catalysis while providing me extensive training in multicatalysis, reaction networks, and computations.