Sulfur-directed metal-free and regiospecific methyl C(sp3)–H imidation of thioanisoles

Regiospecific and direct imidation of the methyl C(sp3)–H bond of thioanisoles is realized under mild and metal-free conditions with N-fluorobis(benzenesulfonyl)imide as an oxidant and nitrogen source. Proposed mechanism suggests that thionium ion intermediates and a Pummerer-type reaction are involved. The imidation has advantages such as high step-economy, excellent functionality tolerance, and regiospecificity, giving structurally diverse imidation products.

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