Short and Practical Synthesis of N,N-Disubstituted N-Aryl-1,2-Ethylenediamines by a Decarboxylative Ring-Opening Reaction under Nucleophilic Conditions.

A straightforward and practical synthesis of N',N'-disubstituted N-aryl-1,2-ethylenediamines, starting from anilines, via N-aryloxazolidin-2-ones is described. A decarboxylative ring-opening reaction of N-aryloxazolidin-2-ones, using aliphatic secondary amines, is the key step in this procedure. A one-pot synthesis of N-aryloxazolidin-2-ones is also described. N',N'-Disubstituted N-aryl-1,2-ethylenediamines are a useful building block for biologically active compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]