PdI2 as a simple and efficient catalyst for the hydroamination of arylacetylenes with anilines

The hydroamination reaction is a convenient alternative strategy for the formation of C– N bonds. Herein, we report a new versatile and convenient protocol for the hydroamination of arylacetylenes with anilines using palladium iodide in the absence of any added ligand as catalyst. Mild conditions, excellent regio-and stereoselectivity, and high functional group tolerance are the main features of this methodology. A subsequent reduction step gives access to a wide variety of secondary aromatic amines.