Iodine-Catalyzed Synthesis of Chiral 4-Imidazolidinones Using α-Amino Acid Derivatives via Dehydrogenative N-H/C(sp)-H Coupling.

An efficient method for the asymmetric synthesis of 4-imidazolidinones via an iodine-catalyzed intramolecular N-H/C(sp)-H activation of readily available and abundant feedstocks, amino acids, and amines is described. The reaction proceeded under visible light irradiation to afford a variety of 4-imidazolidinone derivatives under mild conditions in moderate to excellent yields. Secondary and tertiary C(sp)-H bonds were aminated, and various functional groups were tolerated.