An efficient method is described for the synthesis of N-(2-aminophenyl)-2-hydroxyethylamines via a copper catalyzed N-selective arylation of β-amino alcohols with iodoanilines. The corresponding coupling products are useful intermediates for the synthesis of a variety of N-2-hydroxyethyl-substituted benzimidazoles, benzimidazolones, and iminobenzimidazoles. We found that 2-iodoaniline only arylates certain amino alcohols but not amines lacking a hydroxyl group. We also demonstrate the arylation of sterically demanding β-amino alcohols, such as ephedrine and prolinol with aryl iodides at room temperature.
Keywords: Amino Alcohol; Arylation; Benzimidazole; Copper catalysis; Cross-coupling; Iodoaniline.