Palladium-Catalyzed Regioselective C-Benzylation Via a Rearrangement Reaction: Access to Benzyl-Substituted Anilines.

An unprecedented C-benzylation rearrangement reaction, catalyzed by palladium, is reported. The reaction proceeds by rearrangement leading to the direct synthesis of para or ortho benzyl-substituted N-methylanilines. The product is obtained in high regioselectivity, without the need to use a ligand for the catalytic process.