Sulfonamidation of Aryl and Heteroaryl Halides through Photosensitized Nickel Catalysis

Herein we report a highly efficient method for nickel-catalyzed C-N bond formation between sulfonamides and aryl electrophiles. This technology provides generic access to a broad range of N-aryl and N-heteroaryl sulfonamide motifs, which are widely represented in drug discovery. Initial mechanistic studies suggest an energy-transfer mechanism wherein C-N bond reductive elimination occurs from a triplet excited Ni-II complex. Late-stage sulfonamidation in the synthesis of a pharmacologically relevant structure is also demonstrated.