Experimental and theoretical study on the cyclic(alkyl)(amino)carbene-copper catalyzed Friedel-Crafts reaction of N,N-dialkylanilines with styrenes.

The Friedel-Crafts reaction of alkalinous substrates is challenging because the coordination between the amines and traditional acid catalyst. Based on theoretical research, we designed a catalytic process for the Friedel-Crafts reactions of N, N-Dialkylanilines in the presence of CAAC-CuCl [CAAC= cyclic(alkyl)(amino)carbene] and KB(C6F5)4. Experimental results show that the catalytic system is suitable for a series of N, N-dialkylanilines and alkenes with good to excellent yield of para-selectivity products. The results are comparable to those obtained in carbene-gold catalyzed processes.