to accessing aromaticamines from an abundant feedstock, namely phenols. The most reliable catalytic method for converting phenols to aromaticamines uses an activating group, such as a trifluoromethane sulfonyl group. However, this activating group is eliminated as a leaving group during the amination process, resulting in significant waste. Our nickel-catalyzed decarboxylation reaction of aryl carbamates
Isopropyl carbamates derived from benzylamines provide isoindolinones by treatment with phosphorus pentoxide at room temperature. Utility of this Bischler–Napieralski-type cyclization and a new mechanisminvolving a carbamoyl cation for rationalization of this smooth conversion are discussed.