Pd/Cu-Catalyzed C-H/C-H Cross Coupling of (Hetero)Arenes with Azoles through Arylsulfonium Intermediates.

A highly efficient method for the selective formal C-H/C-H cross-coupling of azoles and (hetero)arenes was established through arylsulfonium intermediates under transition-metal catalysis, which produced a variety of 2-(hetero)aryl azoles in good to excellent yields. Advantages of the reaction included mildness, a good functional group tolerance, a wide range of substrates, a high regio- and chemoselectivity, one-pot procedures, and the late-stage functionalization of complex molecules without the use of oxidants, offering a promising strategy for the transition-metal-catalyzed C-H arylation of azoles.