Iron-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative C–H amidation of benzofurans and benzothiophenes with anilines

Abstract

An efficient iron-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative aromatic C–H amidation using DDQ as an oxidant under mild conditions is reported, providing a straightforward access to structurally diverse diarylamine derivatives incorporating benzofuran/benzothiophene motifs. Mechanistic studies indicated that a nitrogen-centered anilino radical is involved in the C–N bond formation.