Copper-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Regioselective Thiocyanation of Aromatics and Heteroaromatics

A copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative reaction between aromatics or heteroaromatics with KSCN is developed by using O-2 as the oxidant. The combination of Cu(OTf)(2), N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) and BF3 center dot Et2O provides an efficient catalytic system, affording substituted thiocyanation products and 2-aminobenzothiazoles in excellent yields. The reaction also possesses a good functional group tolerance for both strong electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups.