Rapid and efficient microwave-assisted synthesis of aryl aminobenzophenones using Pd-catalyzed amination.

Substituted aryl aminobenzophenone p38 MAP kinase inhibitors were synthesized in good to excellent yields using palladium-catalyzed aryl amination under conditions of microwave irradiation. Various ligands have been screened, and the reaction conditions were optimized. These coupling reactions are suitable for various anilines and aryl bromides that bear a variety of functional groups. Some leaving groups (iodides, chlorides, triflates, and tosylates) other than bromides have also been investigated. By this method, a large number of aryl aminobenzophenone p38 MAP kinase inhibitors were prepared in short order.