Pd-Catalyzed Alkene Diamination Reactions of Nitrogen Electrophiles: Synthesis of Cyclic Guanidines and Ureas Bearing Dialkylaminomethyl Groups

The Pd-catalyzed coupling of N-allylguanidines or N-allylureas with O-benzoylhydroxylamine derivatives affords cyclic guanidines or cyclic ureas bearing dialkylaminomethyl groups. The desired products are obtained in good yield, and substrates bearing substituents at the allylic position are transformed with moderate diastereoselectivity. The mechanism of these reactions appears to involve anti-aminopalladation of the alkene, followed by a rare sp³C–sp³N bond-forming reductive elimination from an alkylpalladium complex that contains β-hydrogen atoms.