GENERAL STEPS: A solution of potassium tert-butoxide (KOtBu, 102.1 mg, 1.3 eq.) and complex 3a (10-50 mL, 0.01-0.05 mol, prepared from 4.6 mg of complex 3a dissolved in 1.0 mL of dichloromethane) was added to a Schlenk reaction tube under nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction tube was sealed and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. Toluene (0.5 mL), 2,4-dimethylaniline (0.84 mmol) and chlorobenzene (0.70 mmol) were then added sequentially. The reaction mixture was stirred vigorously at the indicated temperature for 3 to 24 hours. Upon completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to afford the target product 2,4-dimethyldiphenylamine.
