Cu(II)-promoted palladium-catalyzed C-H ortho-arylation of N,N-dimethylbenzylamines.

A novel protocol for palladium-catalyzed arylation of the C(sp(2))-H bond directed by a N,N-dimethylaminomethyl group in the presence of AgOAc and Cu(OAc)2·H2O is described. Various aryl iodides proved to be efficient coupling partners, furnishing the corresponding ortho monoarylated or diarylated arenes in moderate to good yields. Cu(OAc)2·H2O is found to be the important additive to improve the yields in this transformation.