Copper-Mediated monochlorination of anilines and nitrogen-containing heterocycles

Abstract

A simple and selective copper(II) chloride-mediated monochlorination of anilines and nitrogen-containing heterocycles has been developed. Stirring a mixture of aniline, copper(II) chloride, lithium chloride in EtOH under reflux condition produced 4-chloroaniline with high yield. Eighteen substrates including substituted anilines, N-substituted anilines, N,N-disubstituted anilines, 5-nitroindole and carbazole were all reactive and afforded desired products in moderate to excellent yields (52%–98%).