Low-energy-electron-induced hydroamination of an alkene

Abstract

The smallest catalyst: A new strategy to control chemical synthesis by exposure to low-energy electrons relies on the electrostatic attraction caused by the soft ionization of one of the reaction partners. This approach was used to induce a reaction between C2H4 and NH3 yielding aminoethane. The reaction resembles a hydroamination except that the electron beam replaces the catalyst used in the organic synthesis. © 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.