CAN-Promoted Thiolative ipso -Annulation of Unactivated N -Benzyl Acrylamides: Access to SCN/SCF 3 /SO 2 Ar Containing Azaspirocycles.

A variety of acrylamides holding an unactivated N -benzyl group underwent dearomative ipso -cyclization induced by sulfur-centered radicals (SCN/ SCF 3 / SO 2 Ar) in the presence of ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as the oxidant to furnish azaspirocycles in good yields. This is the first report on ipso -dearomatization of N -benzyl acrylamides that proceeds without a substituent at the para -position of the aromatic ring. The developed conditions are also found to be suitable for substrates holding substituents such as F, NO 2 , OMe, OH, and OAc at the para -position. The reaction features water as the source of oxygen, is compatible with a variety of functional groups, and proceeds in a short time.