Transition-Metal-Free Synthesis of N-Arylphenothiazines through an N- and S-Arylation Sequence.

An efficient synthetic method of N-arylphenothiazines from o-sulfanylanilines under transition-metal-free conditions is disclosed. An N- and S-arylation sequence of o-sulfanylanilines enabled us to synthesize a wide variety of N-arylphenothiazines. In particular, one-pot synthesis of N-arylphenothiazines was accomplished from easily available modules through preparation of o-sulfanylanilines by thioamination of aryne intermediates and following N- and S-arylation sequence.