Herein,
we describe a new catalytic approach to accessing aromatic
amines from an abundant feedstock, namely phenols. The most reliable
catalytic method for converting phenols to aromatic amines uses an
activating group, such as a trifluoromethane sulfonyl group. However,
this activating group is eliminated as a leaving group during the
amination process, resulting in significant waste. Our nickel-catalyzed
decarboxylation reaction of aryl carbamates forms aromatic amines
with carbon dioxide as the only byproduct. As this amination proceeds
in the absence of free amines, a range of functionalities, including
a formyl group, are compatible. A bisphosphine ligand immobilized
on a polystyrene support (PS-DPPBz) is key to the success of this
reaction, generating a catalytic species that is significantly more
active than simple nonsupported variants.