The reaction of 1-amino-4-acylaminoanthraquinones with piperidine in the presence of CoCl2 and atmospheric oxygen gave the 2-aminated products in 75–80%, and similar reaction of 1-hydroxyanthraquinone or 1-aminoanthraquinone-2-sulfonic acid with butylamine gave the corresponding 4-aminated products, respectively. The effects of the α-substituents and the role of metal salts were discussed.