Facile N-Alkylation/N'-Arylation Process: A Direct Approach to Aromatic Aminoalkyl Amines

An intriguing C-N transformation involving a catalyst-free N-alkylation/N'-arylation process in a multicomponent reaction with secondary amines, cyclic tertiary amines and electron-deficient aryl halides has been described. In this case, the N-alkylation of secondary amines, utilizing cyclic tertiary amines as alkyl group sources, is enabled by a facile C-N cleavage. Such an operationally simple method could facilitate access to aromatic aminoalkyl amines, nitrogen-containing bioactive molecules, in good to excellent yields.