I(III)-Mediated Arene C-H Amination Using (Hetero)Aryl Nucleophiles.

Herein, we report the metal-free oxidative C-H amination of arenes via a "heterocyclic group transfer" reaction from an I(III) -HVI reagent. N-Heterocycles serve as oxidatively masked amine nucleophiles, and the resulting -arylpyridinium salts are inert to further oxidation. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions, and mechanistic studies indicate the intermediacy of an arene radical cation. Derivatizations of the resulting pyridinium salts to diverse aryl amine scaffolds are demonstrated.