Thiyl Radical Mediated Racemization of Nonactivated Aliphatic Amines

Abstract
The racemization of nonactivated aliphatic amines has been mediated with alkanethiols and with methyl thioglycolate in the presence of AIBN. The process involves reversible H-abstraction at the chiral center, in a position α relative to nitrogen, by thiyl radical. The knowledge of the reaction enthalpy is critical to select the appropriate thiol. In the absence of experimental values, theoretical calculations of the α-C−H BDEs and the S−H BDE provide a useful guide.