Direct palladium(II)-catalyzed synthesis of arylamidines from aryltrifluoroborates.

A fast and convenient synthesis of arylamidines starting from readily available potassium aryltrifluoroborates and cyanamides is reported. The coupling was achieved by Pd(II)-catalysis in a one step 20 min microwave protocol using Pd(O(2)CCF(3)), 6-methyl-2,2'-bipyridyl, TFA, and MeOH, providing the corresponding arylamidines in moderate to excellent yields.