Amination of 2-substituted azulene was carefully examined using several types of amines, and the scope and limitation of substrates and reagents in these direct nucleophilic aminations were found. The synthesis of 2-aminoazulenes was successfully achieved by the reaction of 2-bromoazulene with several amines via palladium-catalyzed amination. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.