New catalytic diamination of alkenes provides a novel access to 1-p-toluenesulfonyl-3-trichloromethyl-4,5-imidazolines

Non-oxidatke catalytic diamination reaction or alpha,beta-unsaturated esters and ketones with N,N-dichloro-p-toluenesulfonamide and acetonitrile has been established for the synthesis of 1-p-toluenesulfonyl-3-trichloromethyl-4,5-imidazoline derivatives. Rhodium(II) acetate dimer was found to be superior to rhodium(II) heptafluorobutyrate as the catalyst for this reaction which was carried out at 55degreesC. Six examples were examined with chemical yields of 57-77%. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.