Additive-Free Decarboxylative Coupling of Cinnamic Acid Derivatives in Water: Synthesis of Allyl Amines

Abstract

The first example of an additive-free decarboxylative coupling of cinnamic acid derivatives with formaldehyde and amines to afford the corresponding allyl amines is reported. This reaction is highly environmentally friendly because it was conducted in H₂O and without any additives, releasing only CO₂ and H₂O as byproducts. This reaction showed a broad substrate scope including cyclic and acyclic amines and high functional group tolerance. Moreover, phenyl dienoic acid participated in this type of decarboxylative coupling reaction