Cu(ii)-Catalyzed C2-site functionalization of p-aminophenols: an approach for selective cross-dehydrogenative aminations

Site selective cross dehydrogenative aminations from precursors without preactivated C-H and N-H bonds have been challenging. Herein, a copper-catalyzed C2-site selective amination of p-aminophenol derivatives with arylamines has been developed. This approach precludes both partners from prefunctionalization and yields single site selective aminated products. This reaction proceeds smoothly with air as a terminal oxidant to produce the corresponding C2-site functional aminophenol derivatives in moderate to good yields.

Automated summary

The paper introduces a copper-catalyzed approach for site-selective amination of p-aminophenol derivatives with arylamines, without the need for prefunctionalization of the reactants. This novel method efficiently produces single site selective aminated products with moderate to good yields using air as a terminal oxidant.