Copper-catalyzed synthesis of α-amino imides from tertiary amines: Ugi-type three-component assemblies involving direct functionalization of sp3 C-Hs adjacent to nitrogen atoms.

α-Amino imides can be accessed straightforwardly from tertiary amines through copper-catalyzed three-component reactions involving the direct functionalization of sp(3) C-Hs adjacent to nitrogen atoms. This reaction has demonstrated a tolerance to a wide range of functionalizations and can be performed under very mild conditions. A plausible mechanism has been proposed in which an Ugi-type cascade assembly has been included.