Iron-Mediated Selective Sulfonylmethylation of Aniline Derivatives with p-Toluenesulfonylmethyl Isocyanide (TosMIC).

An iron-mediated highly selective C-H sulfonylmethylation of aniline derivatives with p-toluenesulfonylmethyl isocyanide in a mixture solvent of H2O and PEG400 under an Ar atmosphere has been realized. This transformation proceeds with operational convenience, use of earth-abundant metal catalyst and nontoxic media, broad substrate scope, and good functional group tolerance. The current methodology could be applied to the regioselective C-H sulfonylmethylation of indolines, tetrahydroquinolines, and tertiary anilines.