Iridium-Catalyzed Direct C–H Allylation of Ketimines

Aromatic C–H allylation of N-sulfonyl ketimines with allyl alcohol or allyl phenyl ether as an allyl source is catalyzed by a cationic iridium complex. The presence of a catalytic amount of a pyridine derivative was found to be essential for the reaction. In contrast, direct C–H allylation of ketimines derived from benzophenone derivatives and p-methoxyaniline with allyl phenyl ether proceeded in the absence of pyridine derivatives.