Silver(I)-Catalyzed C4–H Amination of 1‑Naphthylamine Derivatives with Azodicarboxylates

A simple and efficient protocol for silver­(I)-catalyzed picolinamide directed C4–H amination of 1-naphthylamine derivatives with readily available azodicarboxylates has been developed, demonstrating a new approach to 1,4-naphthalenediamine derivatives in high yields. Note that this reaction system could proceed under external-oxidant- and additive-free conditions (only requires 5 mol % of AgOAc as the catalyst in acetone).