Oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling between iodoarenes and acylanilides for C–N bond formation under metal-free conditions

Abstract

A novel metal-free C–N bond formation method through oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling between iodoarenes and acylanilides was developed. The reaction was mediated by mCPBA without any metal catalysts or additives. The reaction exhibited high para-selectivity with the retention of an iodine atom which enabled further transformations. This method also possessed the merits of substrate availability, easy operation and atom economy. It provides a simple and efficient route for the preparation of functionalized N-aryl amides.