The synthesis of homoallylic amines utilizing a cuprate-based 1,2-metalaterearrangement

Lithiation of the N-2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonyl-2-pyrroline (16) and treatment of the resulting cyclic vinyllithium reagent with R2CuCNLi2 produ ced an acyclic vinyl organometallic species that, when treated with an elec trophile (H2O or RX), gave the homoallylic sulfonamides 18a-k in 37-93% yie lds and in >95% diastereoselectivity. The deprotection of a representative homoallylic sulfonamide 18d was achieved in 83% yield by sonication in the presence of lithium wire and catalytic 4,4'-di-tert-butylbiphenyl (DBB). Th e efficacy of this general procedure for the production of homoallylic amin e derivatives is demonstrated by the preparation of the diene amine 25, a k ey intermediate in the synthesis of a squalene synthetase inhibitor.