Room-Temperature, Base-Mediated Selective Synthesis of 2-(Arylamino)ethanols and 2-Aryloxyethanols

Abstract A simple and efficient protocol for base-mediated selective synthesis of 2-(arylamino)ethanols from primary aromatic amines and 2-aryloxyethanols from phenols, promoted by K 2 CO 3 has been achieved under mild conditions. Even in presence of excess alkyl halide, selective mono-N-alkylation has been achieved. Tolerance of a variety of functional groups is demonstrated by 15 examples of selective N-alkylation of aromatic amines and 19 examples of O-alkylation of phenols. The efficacy of the protocol is demonstrated by the formal synthesis of Ticlopidine ­® , Vildagliptin ® , Quetiapine ® , and Gemfibrozil ® .