Diamination of phenylene dihalides catalyzed by a dicopper complex.

Diamination of phenylene dihalides with aqueous ammonia to give the corresponding phenylenediamines can be achieved by using a dicopper complex [Cu(2)(bpnp)(OH)(CF(3)COO)(3)] (1) (bpnp = 2,7-bis(pyridine-2-yl)-l,8-naphthyridine) as the catalyst in the presence of Bu(4)NBr and Cs(2)CO(3) in high yields. In addition, 1,3,5-tribromobenzene was converted into benzenetriamine quantitatively under the same conditions. This method offers a new opportunity, particularly simplifying steps and increasing yields, for the preparation of aryl diamines.