We present a PPh3/DDQ-mediated regiospecific
selective N-functionalization of arylhydrazines with
primary benzylic
alcohols and aryl carboxylic acids for the synthesis of N
1-benzyl arylhydrazines and N
2-acyl arylhydrazines, respectively. This metal- and base-free approach
features very short reaction times (about 10 min), broad substrate
scope, good functional group tolerance, and mild reaction conditions.
Furthermore, N
1-benzlated products have
also been successfully applied to the concise synthesis of N-substituted indoles and anticancer drug MDM2 inhibitor.