Transition-Metal-Free Intermolecular Amination of sp³ C−H Bonds with Sulfonamides

An efficient transition-metal-free intermolecular benzylic amidation with sulfonamides is described. Various valuable nitrogen-containing compounds, including amines, β-chloro amine, amino alcohol, α-, β-amino ester, and N-sulfonyl imine, are generated from the preferential N-functionalization of saturated benzylic C−H bonds. The potential of this reaction system also lies in the fact it can be developed into an environmentally friendly intermolecular amidation process.