Selective palladium-catalysed amination of 4-chloropyridines with benzylamines using the Josiphos ligand

A synthetic strategy for the synthesis of a library of 4-N-benzylamino-2-N-phenyl-pyridines is herein described. The approach involves a Pd-assisted cross-coupling of a 4-chloro-N-phenylpyridin-2-amine intermediate with a range of benzylamines. A variety of ligands were screened, the most successful being the Josiphos ligand, which gave the desired products in good to moderate yields. The reactions occur quickly, within 30 min, with full conversion of the intermediate into the desired product.