Remote Oxidation of Aliphatic C-H Bonds in Nitrogen-Containing Molecules.

Nitrogen heterocycles are ubiquitous in natural products and pharmaceuticals. Herein, we disclose a nitrogen complexation strategy that employs a strong Brønsted acid (HBF4) or an azaphilic Lewis acid (BF3) to enable remote, non-directed C(sp(3))-H oxidations of tertiary, secondary, and primary amine- and pyridine-containing molecules with tunable iron catalysts. Imides resist oxidation and promote remote functionalization.