Benzylic C-H addition of aromatic amines to alkenes using a scandium catalyst.

An efficient and selective benzylic C(sp)-H addition of o-CH-substituted tertiary aromatic amines to alkenes has been achieved using an anilido-oxazoline ligand supported scandium catalyst, which provides an atom-economic method for the synthesis of a new family of alkylated tertiary anilines. A wide range of amine and alkene substrates are compatible with the catalyst system.