A copper-catalyzed arylation/nucleophilic addition/fragmentation/C–S bond formation cascade: synthesis of bis(arylthio)imines

Abstract

A new tandem arylation/nucleophilic addition/fragmentation/C–S bond formation reaction involving diaryliodonium salts as electrophiles was developed with Cu(OTf)₂ as the catalyst. A series of unexpected bis(arylthio)imine derivatives were generated in good yields. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions, and the bis(arylthio)imines are readily transformed to other useful products.