Cu-catalyzed reduction of azaarenes and nitroaromatics with diboronic acid as reductant

A ligand-free copper-catalyzed reduction of azaarenes with diboronic acid as reductant in an aprotic solvent under mild conditions has been developed. Most interestingly, the nitroazaarenes could be reduced exclusively to give the corresponding amines without touching the azaarene moieties. Furthermore, the reductive amination of aromatic nitro compounds and aromatic aldehydes has also been realized. A series of hydrogenated azaarenes and secondary amines were obtained with good functional group tolerance. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.