Palladium-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Nitroarenes with Phenols leading to N-Cyclohexylanilines

A direct and efficient palladium-catalyzed reductive coupling reaction of nitroarenes with phenols has been developed. A series of N-cyclohexylaniline derivatives was easily and efficiently obtained in moderate to good yields via C–N bond formation by the simple use of safe and inexpensive sodium formate as the hydrogen donor.