Gold catalyzed Heck-coupling of arenediazonium o-benzenedisulfonimides

Diazonium salts, and precisely arenediazonium o-benzenedisulfonimides, have been used for the first time as efficient electrophilic partners in gold catalyzed Heck-coupling reactions. The synthetic protocol was general, easy and gave the target products in satisfactory yields. Mechanistic insights revealed the fundamental roles of the o-benzenedisulfonimide anion as an electron transfer agent thath promotes a radical pathway that does not require the presence of photocatalysts or external oxidants.