Synthesis of N-aryl-d-glucosamines through copper-catalyzed C-N coupling

A catalytic protocol was developed to synthesize N-aryl-d-glucosamines from the corresponding aryl halides. Cross-coupling of 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-β-d-glucosamine with aryl iodides or bromides was catalyzed with copper. Subsequent deprotection of the benzyl group gave the arylation product N-aryl-d-glucosamines.