A convenient one-pot direct conversion of phenols to anilines has been developed. Using our methodology, anilines can be obtained in moderate yields by a reflux reaction of electron-withdrawing substituted phenols with ClCH2CONH2 and weak base in DMF via Smiles rearrangement. In this progress, the DMF solvent is easily recycled by distillation, and then the residue can be simply absorbed into the silica gel and purified directly. This method is also available for the synthesis of aminopyridine from the corresponding hydroxyl substrate.

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