Facile synthesis of 1,2-thiobenzonitriles via Cu-catalyzed denitrogenative radical coupling reaction

A Cu-catalyzed synthesis of 1,2-thiobenzonitriles via oxidative C-N cleavage of 3-aminoindazoles followed by radical coupling with thiols is developed. A diverse array of 1,2-thiobenzonitriles were obtained in good yields with wide substrate scope. Notably, this is the first example of denitrogenative radical coupling with 3-aminoindazoles.