HI-Catalyzed Hydroamination and Hydroarylation of Alkenes

Aromatic amines react with alkenes in the presence of catalytic amounts of aqueous HI to give mixtures of the corresponding hydroamination and hydroarylation products. While the hydroamination reaction is the preferred pathway for aliphatic alkenes, the hydroarylation reaction becomes more important when styrenes are used as substrates. In general, the electronic properties of the alkene and the amine strongly influence the efficiency and the selectivity of the reaction.