Transition Metal‐Free Intermolecular α‐CH Amination of Ethers at Room Temperature

We describe a new method for the intermolecular amination of the α‐CH bonds of ethers. A hypervalent iodine reagent was used as oxidant to enable the amination of cyclic and acyclic alkyl ethers with a wide range of amides, imides, and amines. The amination occurred at room temperature and without a transition metal catalyst. The method could be used to synthesize the anti‐cancer prodrug Tegafur and its analogues. magnified image