Copper catalysed oxidative cascade deamination/cyclization of vinyl azide and benzylamine for the synthesis of 2,4,6-triarylpyridines

A highly efficient one-pot method for the synthesis of 2,4,6-triaryl pyridines has been developed via cascade deamination and annulation. Copper triflate and molecular iodine easily promoted the oxidative cyclization reaction of vinyl azide and benzylamine to access a wide variety of substituted pyridine substrates under an oxygen atmosphere. The presence of benzyl amine enables the cyclization process by providing the aryl functionality and the nitrogen source. Moreover, a broad range of substrates with good functional group tolerance, avoidance of external oxidants, excellent product yields, operational simplicity and mild conditions are the notable advantages of the present protocol.