Synthesis of N,N,O-Trisubstituted Hydroxylamines by Stepwise Reduction and Substitution of O-Acyl N,N-Disubstituted Hydroxylamines

Diverse N,N,O-trisubstituted hydroxylamines, an under-represented group in compound collections, are readily prepared by partial reduction of N-acyloxy secondary amines with diisobutylaluminum hydride followed by acetylation and reduction of the so-formed O-aryl-N,N-disubstituted hydroxylamines with triethylsilane and boron trifluoride etherate. Use of carbon nucleophiles in the last step, including allyltributylstannane, silyl enol ethers, and 2-methylfuran, gives N,N,O-trisubstituted hydroxylamines with branching alpha- to the O-substituent. N,N-Disubstiuted hydroxylamines are conveniently prepared by reaction of secondary amines with dibenzoyl peroxide followed by diisobutylaluminum hydride reduction.