Insertion of arynes into N-halo bonds: a direct approach to o-haloaminoarenes.

A new approach to access o-haloaminoarenes has been achieved by insertion of arynes into a nitrogen-halide bond (N-X). This transition-metal-free transformation displays a broad substrate scope of arynes, good compatibility with functional groups, and high regioselectivity. Representative transformations of the o-haloaminoarenes are described to highlight their utility for rapid access to diversely functionalized aminoarene derivatives.