Copper-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Regioselective Thiocyanation of Aromatics and Heteroaromatics.

A copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative reaction between aromatics or heteroaromatics with KSCN is developed by using O2 as the oxidant. The combination of Cu(OTf)2, N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) and BF3·Et2O provides an efficient catalytic system, affording substituted thiocyanation products and 2-aminobenzothiazoles in excellent yields. The reaction also possesses a good functional group tolerance for both strong electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups.