Rhodium‑catalyzed direct alkylation of benzylic amines using alkyl bromides

Within this contribution, the development and substrate scope evaluation of a direct alkylation protocol of the C(sp³)–H bond of benzylic amines using alkyl bromides is reported. This pyridine-directed method is initiated by elimination of the alkyl bromide to a terminal olefin, which is then the true alkylating agent. Authors:Martin Anschuber, Robert Pollice, Michael Schnürch DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00706-018-2305-9