AgOTf catalyzed direct amination of benzyl alcohols with sulfonamides

AgOTf catalyzed direct amination of primary alcohols with sulfonamides is described. This effective catalyst requires no preactivation of the hydroxy group of alcohols and the reaction is environmentally benign with water as a by-product. Various primary alcohols on amination with sulfonamides gave the corresponding products in moderate to good yields. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.