To a stirred solution of deionized water (10 mL) containing aniline (1.0 mmol), 3-(trifluoromethyl)phenylboronic acid (1.0 mmol), and K2CO3 (2.0 mmol) was added an aqueous suspension of FePd nanowires (3.0 mol%, dissolved in 3 mL H2O) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred continuously for 5 h at room temperature. The reaction process was monitored by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Upon completion of the reaction, 2 M HCl solution was added and the catalyst was separated using an external magnet. Subsequently, the catalyst was washed with ethyl acetate (EtOAc). The reaction mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (2 × 20 mL), and the organic phases were combined, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. Finally, the residue was purified by gel permeation chromatography to afford the target product N-phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)aniline.
