Transition-Metal-Free Cascade Approach for the Synthesis of Functionalized Biaryls by SAr of Arylhydroxylamines with Arylsulfonium Salts.

We report a transition-metal-free protocol for the synthesis of functionalized biaryls through nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SAr) of arylhydroxylamines to arylsulfonium salts. With this protocol, structurally diverse functionalized biaryls were obtained smoothly in moderate to good yields. Merits of this transformation include mild reaction conditions, broad substrate scope, great functional group tolerance, feasibility of a one-pot procedure, and ease of handing and scale-up.