Radical α-C–H Cyclobutylation of Aniline Derivatives

A catalytic system has been developed for the direct alkylation of α-C–H bonds of aniline derivatives with strained C–C σ-bonds. This method operates through a photoredox mechanism in which oxidative formation of aminoalkyl radical intermediates enables addition to a bicyclobutane derivative, giving rise to α-cyclobutyl N-alkylaniline products. This mild system proceeds through a redox- and proton-neutral mechanism and is operational for a range of substituted arylamine derivatives.