Incorporating Azaheterocycle Functionality in Aerobic, Copper-Catalyzed Aminooxygenation of Alkenes

Despite the maturity of alkene 1,2-difunctionalization reactions involving C–N bond formation, a key limitation across aminofunctionalization methods is incompatibility with substrates bearing medicinally relevant N-heterocycles. Using a cooperative ligand-substrate catalyst activation strategy, we have developed an aerobic, copper-catalyzed alkene aminooxygenation method that exhibits broad tolerance for β,γ-unsaturated carbamates bearing aromatic azaheterocycle substitution. The synthetic potential of this methodology was demonstrated by engaging a densely-functionalized vonoprazan analogue and elaborating an aminooxygenated product to synthesize a heteroarylated analogue precursor of the FDA-approved antibiotic chloramphenicol.