Application of a diphosphinidenecyclobutene ligand in the solvent-free copper-catalysed amination reactions of aryl halides.

1,2-Diphenyl-3,4-bis[(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)phosphinidene]cyclobutene was used as an additive ligand in copper-catalysed amination reactions of halobenzenes with amines in the presence of base to afford the corresponding secondary or tertiary amines in good to excellent yields.