Ruthenium(0)-catalyzed sp3 C-H bond arylation of benzylic amines using arylboronates.

A Ru-catalyzed direct arylation of benzylic sp(3) carbons of acyclic amines with arylboronates is reported. This highly regioselective and efficient transformation can be performed with various combinations of N-(2-pyridyl) substituted benzylamines and arylboronates. Substitution of the pyridine directing group in the 3-position proved to be crucial in order to achieve high arylation yields. Furthermore, the pyridine directing group can be removed in high yields via a two-step protocol.