Copper-Promoted Thiolation of C(sp2)-H Bonds Using a 2-Amino Alkylbenzimidazole Directing Group

A copper-promoted thiolation of C(sp(2))-H bonds with disulfides was achieved by using 2-amino alkylbenzimidazole (MBIP amine) as a new and removable N,N-bidentate directing group. This strategy gives a variety of functionalized thioethers in moderate to excellent yields in a simple and efficient way. Importantly, the substrate scope is not limited to aromatic amides; diverse alkenyl amides are also compatible. Furthermore, this synthetic approach provides a potentially feasible way to achieve structural modification of related benzimidazole-containing compounds through direct C-H activation.