Easy Alkane Catalytic Functionalization

The carbon−hydrogen bonds of alkanes, R−H, can be converted in high yields into amino functionalities (R−NHTs; Ts = p -toluensulfonyl), with the aid of silver-based catalysts in a reaction implying the thermal (80 °C) insertion of a nitrene NTs unit into the C−H bond of the hydrocarbon. Complexes Tp x Ag (Tp x = hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate ligand) serve as catalysts and PhI═NTs serves as the nitrene source.