Synthesis of 1,2-Diamines from Vinyl Sulfonium Salts and Arylamines.

A procedure for the synthesis of 1,2-diamines from vinyl sulfonium salts and arylamines under mild conditions was developed. This present synthetic protocol not only obviates the need for a transition-metal catalyst and an oxidizing reagent but also features a broad substrates scope. The practicability of this protocol is demonstrated by the one-pot synthesis, a scale-up reaction, and transformations of the products to diverse N -heterocyclic compounds. Mechanistic studies indicate that the formation of aziridine plays a key role during this diamination process.