Nickel(ii)-catalyzed C(sp2)-H sulfuration/annulation with elemental sulfur: selective access to benzoisothiazolones.

The first nickel(ii)-catalyzed direct sulfuration/annulation of C(sp2)-H bonds with elemental sulfur has been achieved by using 2-amino alkylbenzimidazole (MBIP-amine) as a N,N-bidentate directing group. This strategy tolerates a wide range of functional groups, furnishing structurally diverse benzoisothiazolone derivatives with benzimidazole skeletons in moderate to excellent yields in a simple and efficient way.