# Chemoselective Synthesis of δ‑Amino Alcohols from Chiral 1,4-Diols Catalyzed by an NHC–Ir(III) Complex

## TL;DR

A new method uses a catalyst to make δ-amino alcohols from chiral 1,4-diols under mild conditions, avoiding unwanted side reactions.

## Contribution

A selective, base-free amination method for synthesizing chiral δ-amino alcohols from 1,4-diols using an NHC–Ir(III) catalyst.

## Key findings

- Amination occurs selectively on the primary alcohol without racemization.
- Mild conditions prevent formation of pyrrolidines and allow late-stage functionalization of drugs like Lenalidomide.

## Abstract

The synthesis of δ-amino alcohols from 1,4-diols
via the hydrogen borrowing strategy by an NHC–Ir­(III)
catalyst
is described. The amination occurs on the primary alcohol selectively.
The mild, base-free conditions effectively suppress the common second
intramolecular amination to pyrrolidines. sec-Alcohols,
even benzylic ones, remain inert toward amination and even without
racemization, enabling the synthesis of chiral δ-amino alcohols
from readily available chiral 1,4-diols. Late-stage functionalization
(LSF) of Lenalidomide and other complex drugs is demonstrated.