Copper/oxalohydrazide/ketone catalyzed synthesis of primary arylamines via coupling of aryl halides with aqueous ammonia in water

The coupling reaction of aryl halides with aqueous ammonia was catalyzed by copper/oxalohydrazide/ketone system in water to yield primary arylamines without inert atmosphere. This method was fast and facile. The coupling reaction proceeded at 90 °C for 20-80 min, or at room temperature for a prolonged reaction time. A variety of aryl bromides and iodides were found to be applicable to this three-component catalytic system, which afforded good to excellent isolated yields.