Transition-Metal-Free Thioamination of Arynes Using Sulfenamides.

The insertion of arynes into the S-N σ-bond of sulfenamides allowing the synthesis of o-sulfanylaniline derivatives with reasonable functional group compatibility is presented. The aryne generated from 2-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflates using CsF in DME was the key for the success of this transition-metal-free thioamination reaction, which involves new C-N and C-S bond formations in a single step under mild conditions. Moreover, the synthetic potential of this method was demonstrated by the synthesis of the antidepressant drug vortioxetine.