Copper(I) Chloride Mediated Amination of Halobenzenes via Azides: Scope, Mechanistic Aspects, and C–C Cleavage Reactions

Selective azidation–amination of long-chain alkanoyl halobenzenes with sodium azide, promoted by copper(I) chloride, is reported. The protocol is, apart from CuCl and NaN₃, additive free and allows the isolation of versatile amine–azides. Alkyl cleavage occurs as a side reaction through an unusual Schmidt-type azide insertion adjacent to the carbonyl group, forming alkyl nitriles possibly via radical pathways. Mechanistic studies involving ¹⁵N labeling experiments and test substrates indicate that the reaction occurs via 1-azido-4-alkanoyl benzenes. The amination is applicable for substrates with electron-withdrawing groups and proceeds under mild conditions. The mechanism of the amine formation involves nitrenes. Intermediates were trapped by carrying out the reaction in the presence of the 2,2,6,6-(tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl stable radical and characterized by high-resolution mass spectrometry. The intermediates are consistent with earlier mechanistic proposals.