Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed C-H Arylation of N,N-Dialkyl Thiobenzamides with Boronic Acids by Sulfur Coordination in 2-MeTHF.

We report ruthenium(II)-catalyzed ortho-C-H arylation of N,N-dialkylthiobenzamides with boronic acids. The method employs [RuCl2(p-cym)]2 in the presence of Cu(OTf)2 and Ag2O oxidant. The reaction represents the first example of Ru-catalyzed C-H arylation directed by sulfur-containing groups and a rare example of C-H arylation directed by the versatile thiobenzamide moiety. As a further advantage, the method is performed in sustainable and eco-friendly 2-MeTHF as a solvent.