Synlett 2010(20): 3068-3072  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1259049
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Efficient Ligand-Free Copper-Catalyzed Arylation of Aliphatic Amines

Fui-Fong Yong, Yong-Chua Teo*
Natural Sciences and Science Education, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Nanyang Walk, Singapore 637616, Singapore
Fax: +65(6896)9414; e-Mail: yongchua.teo@nie.edu.sg;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 14 September 2010
Publication Date:
17 November 2010 (online)

Abstract

An efficient and practical protocol has been developed for the cross-coupling of alkyl amines and aryl iodides under ligand-free copper(I) iodide catalyzed conditions. A variety of alkyl amines undergo the catalytic system to afford the N-arylated products in moderate to good yields (up to 93%).

20

Representative Procedure for N-Arylation of Aliphatic Amines
A mixture of CuI (Sigma-Aldrich, 99.99% purity, 0.147 mmol), Cs2CO3 (2.94 mmol) was dissolved in (0.75 mL) DMF, the aryl halide (2.94 mmol), and the aliphatic amine (1.47 mmol) were added, and the mixture was stirred under air in a closed system at 135 ˚C for 24 h. The heterogeneous mixture was then cooled to r.t. and diluted with CH2Cl2. The resulting solution was directly filtered through a pad of Celite and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by silica gel column chromatography to afford the N-arylated product. The identity and purity of products was confirmed by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic analysis.