Synthesis of β-alkoxy- N -protected phenethylamines via one-pot copper-catalyzed aziridination and ring opening.

A regioselective, copper-catalyzed, one-pot aminoalkoxylation of styrenes using primary and secondary alcohols and three different iminoiodanes as alkoxy and nitrogen sources respectively, is reported. The β-alkoxy- N -protected phenethylamines obtained were used to synthesise β-alkoxy- N -benzylphenethylamines which are interesting new compounds that could act as possible neuronal ligands.