Cu-Catalyzed electrophilic amination of internal alkynes via hydroalumination.

A straightforward and efficient method for the synthesis of 1,2-diaryl-substituted enamines through the Cu-catalyzed electrophilic amination reaction of O-benzoyl hydroxylamines with vinylaluminum reagents generated in situ from the Ni-catalyzed hydroalumination of readily accessible internal aryl acetylenes is described. The amination is catalyzed by 1 mol% CuCl without any additive at ambient temperature to afford new versatile enamines in good yield (61-91%) with high selectivity (>98% E-enamine).