Copper powder-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective aminobromination of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones with TsNH2 and NBS as nitrogen and halogen sources.

The regio- and stereoselective aminobromination of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones catalyzed by copper powder has been established with 4-TsNH(2) and NBS as the nitrogen/bromine sources, respectively. This method provides an easy access for preparation of vicinal aminohalo derivatives in the presence of 1 mol % catalyst. Electron-rich alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones afforded the corresponding aminobrominated products in excellent yields (up to 99.8%), revealing that the addition has an electrophilic feature.