Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the preparation of a wide range of primary arylamines. The arylamines are prepared in two efficient, straightforward transformations: 1) an activated aryl group and an imine group are combined, in the presence of a transition metal catalyst, under conditions wherein the transition metal catalyst catalyzes the formation of a carbon-nitrogen bond between the activated carbon of the arene and the imine nitrogen; and 2) the resulting N-aryl imine is transformed, via any of a number of standard protocols, to the primary arylamine. The method of the invention may also be exploited in the preparation of vinylamines.

Abstract: The transition metal-catalyzed amination of aryl halides, in conjunction with an orthogonal protective group scheme, forms the basis of two routes to oligoaniline precursors. The oligoaniline precursors are soluble in a variety of common organic solvents, and are easily converted to the deprotected oligoanilines. The method allows the preparation of oligoanilines of even or odd chain lengths, and the incorporation of a variety of functional groups into the oligomers. Polyanilines of low polydispersity can also be prepared by this method.