Nickel catalyzed site selective C-H functionalization of α-aryl-thioamides.

A catalytic site selective intramolecular C-S bond forming reaction is demonstrated for the first time. The C-H bond functionalization of α-aryl-thioacetanilides was efficiently catalyzed by 2 mol% NiBr2, resulting in valuable 2-aminobenzo[b]thiophenes in moderate to good yields. Furthermore, the selective sp2 C-H bond functionalization over sp3 is exemplified.