Silver-catalyzed intermolecular amination of fluoroarenes

A novel highly selective Ag-catalyzed intermolecular amination of fluoroarenes has been developed. This transformation starts from readily available 4-carbonyl fluorobenzene and NaN3 or other nitrogen-source, via amination followed by C-F bond cleavage, thus affording the desired 4-carbonyl arylamine products under mild conditions. The reaction is accelerated using a small amount of water. This pathway is distinct from a previously reported radical amination reaction.