Enantiospecific Synthesis of α-Tertiary Amines: Ruthenium-Catalyzed Allylic Amination with Aqueous Ammonia

Ammonia stands out as the most available, cost-effective, and atom-economical source of nitrogen for organic synthesis. In the laboratory, it is safely and most conveniently handled in aqueous solution. Despite the advantages, the direct application of aqueous ammonia in the field of transition-metal catalysis remains a significant challenge. In this study, we report the first ruthenium-catalyzed allylic substitution using ammonia. The catalytic system, consisting of [Cp*Ru(MeCN)3]PF6 and a phenoxythiazoline ligand, enables the enantiospecific amination of tertiary allylic carbonates in aqueous media and affords enantioenriched primary amines as single regioisomers in high yields.