ortho-Selective nucleophilic addition of amines to 3-borylbenzynes: synthesis of multisubstituted anilines by the triple role of the boryl group

Nucleophilic addition of amines to 3-[(dan)boryl]benzynes (dan = 1,8-diaminonaphthalene) generated by a fluoride ion proceeded with high ortho-selectivity to give 2-borylaniline derivatives, under conditions that are tolerant to various functional groups. The (dan)boryl group of the adduct was hydrolyzed into a boronic acid under acidic conditions, which could further serve for various C–C, C–O, C–N, and C–H bond-formation reactions. The overall process provides a promising entry for preparing multisubstituted aniline derivatives.