Iridium-Catalyzed Aryl C-H Sulfonamidation and Amide Formation Using a Bifunctional Nitrogen Source

A new strategy for the sequential formation of aryl and amidyl C-N bonds is reported. Using trichloroethoxysulfonyl azide as a bifunctional nitrogen source, Ir-catalyzed aryl C-H sulfonamidation and subsequent desulfonative amide formation proceed effectively without any need of oxidants or coupling reagents. This protocol is suitable for readily available benzamides and stable carboxylates including primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl, alkenyl, and phenyl carboxylates, thereby providing a direct and efficient method for the synthesis of biologically and chemically useful N-arylamides.