A new method for N-N bond cleavage of N,N-disubstituted hydrazines to secondary amines and direct ortho amination of naphthol and its analogues.

An unexpected reaction of N,N-disubstituted hydrazine with naphthol and its analogues under simply thermal conditions has been disclosed. 2-Naphthol reacted with various N,N-disubstituted hydrazines under argon to afford 1-amino-2-naphthol and the corresponding secondary amines in excellent yields. Ortho amination of 2-naphthols, hydroxyquinoline, and naphthalenamine occurred when they reacted with N-methyl-N-phenylhydrazine.