Di-μ-hydroxy-bis(N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylenediamine)-copper(II) chloride [Cu(OH)·TMEDA]2Cl2: an efficient, practical catalyst for benzylation and allylation of amides

An efficient protocol for the benzylation or allylation of amides using the corresponding benzyl or allyl chlorides as electrophiles under basic conditions with commercially available 5 mol % of [Cu(OH)TMEDA]2Cl2 as catalyst was developed. Under these conditions, unprotected amino acids were benzylated without any racemization.