Zinc trimethylsilylamide as a mild ammonia equivalent and base for the amination of aryl halides and triflates.

[reaction: see text] We report that Zn[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) is a mild ammonia equivalent and base for the palladium-catalyzed amination of aryl halides and triflates. In contrast to LiN(SiMe(3))(2), the combination of Zn[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) and LiCl coupled with aryl halides and triflates containing base-sensitive functionality in high yields. In addition, aryl bromides coupled with aryl and alkylamines with the combination of Zn[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) and LiCl as base. These aminations occurred without racemization of the enolizable stereocenter of an optically active ester.