NAlkylation of tosylamides using esters as primary and tertiary alkyl sources: Mediated by hydrosilanes activated by a ruthenium catalyst

Select your group: Either a primary or tertiary alkyl group can be selectively introduced onto the nitrogen atom of tosylamides in a ruthenium-catalyzed reaction employing hydrosilanes through a judicious choice in the esters that serve as the alkyl source (see scheme; Ts= 4-toluenesulfonyl). These N-alkylation reactions are useful for construction of naturally occurring azacyclic skeletons.