Copper/Titanium catalysis forms fully substituted carbon centers from the direct coupling of acyclic ketones, amines, and alkynes

Abstract

Three-component coupling, with a pair: The combination of Cu(II) and Ti(IV) catalyzes the first three-component coupling of unactivated ketones with a diverse range of amines and terminal alkynes. Tetrasubstituted propargylamines are formed under green, solvent-free conditions. This dual metal system overcomes the barrier to ketimine formation and subsequent attack, opening a new path to multicomponent reactions of ketone electrophiles.