Nickel-Catalyzed C-H Chalcogenation of Anilines

The C-H thiolation of aniline derivatives was accomplished with a versatile nickel(II) catalyst under ligand-free conditions. The robust nature of the nickel catalysis system was reflected by the C-H thiolation with a good functional group tolerance and an ample scope, employing anilines possessing removable directing groups. The widely applicable nickel catalyst also allowed for aniline C-H selenylations, while mechanistic studies provided strong support that the rate-determining step is the C-H activation.