Synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical N,N'-diaryl guanidines via copper/N-methylglycine-catalyzed arylation of guanidine nitrate.

CuI/N-methylglycine-catalyzed coupling reaction of guanidine nitrate with both aryl iodides and bromides takes place at 70-100 °C, affording symmetrical N,N'-diaryl guanidines with good to excellent yields. Unsymmetrical N,N'-diaryl guanidines can be assembled via monoarylation of guanidine nitrate with aryl iodides bearing a strong electron-withdrawing group and subsequent coupling with another aryl iodide.