One-pot aromatic amination based on carbon–nitrogen coupling reaction between aryl halides and azido compounds

An efficient copper-mediated C–N coupling reaction between various aryl halides and azido compounds to produce the corresponding aromatic primary amines was established. The present amination is apparently involved in both the reduction of an azido functionality to the corresponding primary amino group and its cross-coupling reaction with aryl halides in a one-pot manner. The present amination could be applied to the synthesis of procaine, a local anesthetic drug. A mechanistic study indicated that 2-aminoethanol could work as a major hydrogen donor and the reaction would proceed without the formation of the intermediary aryl azide.