Unprecedented copper(I) bifluoride complexes: Synthesis, characterization and reactivity

To be or not to bifluoride: Two synthetic pathways to unprecedented N-heterocyclic carbene copper(I) bifluoride complexes have been developed (see scheme). Catalytic tests demonstrated that copper(I) bifluorides are very efficient catalysts, which do not require any additional activating agent. The first Cu-catalyzed diastereoselective allylation of (R)-N-tert-butanesulfinyl aldimines was also established. The method enables efficient, simple and general synthesis of enantiomerically enriched homoallylic amines at room temperature in high yields.