Synthesis of α,α-disubstituted aryl amines by rhodium-catalyzed amination of tertiary allylic trichloroacetimidates.

The rhodium-catalyzed regioselective amination of tertiary allylic trichloroacetimidates with unactivated aromatic amines is a direct and efficient approach to the preparation of α,α-disubstituted allylic aryl amines in good yield and with excellent regioselectivity. This method is applicable to a variety of unactivated primary and secondary amines and allows for the preparation of reverse prenylated indoles in two steps.