Palladium-catalyzed addition of R2NH to double bonds. Synthesis of α-amino tetrahydrofuran and pyran rings

Efficient addition of R1R2NH to unsaturated heterocycles has been achieved using palladium catalysts. The methodology was applied to the synthesis of a number of α-amino tetrahydrofurans and pyrans. Nature of amine, ring size and catalyst were found to affect the reaction. Mechanistic aspects of the reactions were explored by deuterium labelling experiments.