An approach to α-substituted amines

A number of amines have been alkylated at the position alpha to nitrogen via free radical methodology. N-(2-Iodobenzyl) and N-(2-iodobenzoyl)‘protected’ amines have been used to generate radicals which rapidly undergo a 1,5-hydrogen shift to give more stable α-amino radicals. These can subsequently be trapped by electron deficient alkenes to give α-alkylated amines.