Nickel-Catalyzed Amination of Aryl 2-Pyridyl Ethers via Cleavage of the Carbon-Oxygen Bond

Reaction of aryl 2-pyridyl ethers with amines was carried out via Ni-catalyzed C-O-Py bond cleavage, giving aniline derivatives in reasonable to excellent yields. Both electron-rich and electron-poor aryl 2-pyridyl ethers and a wide range of amines can be used in the transformation. The method provides a conversion way for the 2-pyridyloxy directing group in the C-H bond functionalization reactions.