One-pot Reduction of Nitrostyrenes to Phenethylamines using Sodium Borohydride and Copper(II) chloride

The preparation of phenethylamines and phenylisoproylamines of scientific relevance can be achieved with a NaBH4/CuCl2 system in 10 to 30 minutes via reduction of substituted β-nitrostyrenes. The method also reduces nitrobenzene and methyl benzoate in 92 to 97% yields, respectively, while has no effect on benzoic acid, benzamide, and aromatic halides. This one-pot procedure allows the isolation of substituted β-nitrostyrene scaffolds up to 83% yield under mild conditions, without the need for special precautions, inert atmosphere, and time-consuming purification techniques.