Copper promoted, directed sulfenylation and phenoxylation of benzamide C-H bonds

Abstract

Herein we reported a method for copper pivalate mediated, directed functionalization of ortho C-H bonds in (2- methylthio) aniline benzamides. Diaryl disulfides were used for thiolation, while successful phenoxylation was obtained with phenol as the coupling agent. Our report marks a rare example for flexible transformation of benzamide C(sp²)-H bonds into the corresponding unsymmetrical diaryl ethers and thioethers.