An Easy Access to Aryl Azides from Aryl Amines under Neutral Conditions

A variety of substituted aryl amines were transformed into aryl azides using t-BuONO and moist NaN 3 in t-BuOH in good to excellent yields. Smooth transformation was observed with anilines, having electron withdrawing anddonating groups. Both acid- and base-sensitive groups survived the reaction conditions.