Microwave‐Assisted Cross‐Coupling of Nitroarenes with Aryl Boronic Acids

A molybdenum‐catalyzed approach for intermolecular C−N coupling that produces aryl‐ and heteroaryl amines has been developed under microwave irradiation. The formation of C−N bonds with boronic acids and nitroaromatics using readily available catalysts remains a challenge. The method we developed employs a combination of readily available sodium molybdate dihydrate as a catalyst and tri‐n‐butyl phosphine as an inexpensive reductant to achieve reductive intermolecular coupling of nitroarenes with boronic acids. This approach has shown its versatility in facilitating the formation of Csp 2 −N bonds from aryl‐boronic acids as well as Csp 3 −N bonds from alkyl‐boronic acids. In addition, this reaction shows stereospecificity when Csp 3 −N bonds are formed. An array of boronic acids underwent C−N coupling with nitro arene providing the desired products in good yields