Amination–Oxidation Strategy for the Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of Monoarylamines

A novel approach for the synthesis of monoarylamines from aryl halides is presented. This method employs an inexpensive, nontoxic metal source (copper) and incorporates a stable ammonia surrogate (α-amino acids), obviating the need for special experimental setup or handling of ammonia reagents. This process, which is proposed to proceed via an amination-oxidation sequence, selectively promotes the transformation of a range of aryl and heteroaryl iodides as well as bromides to the corresponding monoarylamines.