Stereospecific Nucleophilic Substitution of Enantioenriched Tertiary Benzylic Amines via in Situ Activation with Benzyne

A one-pot protocol has been developed for sequential benzyne activation and nucleophilic substitution of enantioenriched tertiary benzylic amines. In the presence of 2-(trimethylsilyl)­phenyl triflate and CsF, a range of enantioenriched tertiary benzylic amines were substituted by various nucleophiles, delivering structurally diverse benzylic compounds in moderate to excellent yields with excellent retention of enantiopurity. Importantly, this operationally simple protocol permitted formation of various chiral C–S, C–Se, C–C, and C–N bonds with excellent enantiopurity under metal-free conditions.