Mechanistic insights into the potassium tert-butoxide-mediated synthesis of N-heterobiaryls.

We report herein that symmetrical and non-symmetrical N-heterobiaryls are produced by a potassium tert-butoxide-mediated dimerization of heterocyclic N-oxides. The reaction is scalable and transition metal-free, and can be carried out under thermal and microwave conditions. Preliminary mechanistic studies point to the involvement of radical anionic intermediates arising from the N-oxide substrates and potassium tert-butoxide.