Electrophilic amination of aromatics with sodium azide in BF3–H2O

Abstract Boron trifluoride monohydrate is an excellent Bronsted acid catalyst system for a wide range of reactions. It is a non-oxidizing acid catalyst prepared easily by bubbling BF 3 into water. We have found boron trifluoride monohydrate/sodium azide combination to be an efficient reagent system for aromatic electrophilic amination. The present method avoids the use of expensive superacids such as trifluoromethanesulfonic acid and provides a facile access to aromatic amines directly from aromatics.