Metal-Free, Hindered, Regioselective Access to Multifunctional Groups Diarylamines via S Ar Substitution of P-Nitroso Aromatic Methyl Ether by Arylamines.

Multifunctional groups diarylamines, an innovative product, efficiently produced from arylamines and p-nitrosoanisole derivatives by intermolecular S Ar under weak acid conditions. This S Ar proceeds under mild reaction conditions, and more significantly, the substrates involved do not necessarily require strong electron-withdrawing groups. Moreover, this S Ar is characterized by resistance to space crowding, tolerance to halogen and nitroso functional groups, and high regioselectivity. Mechanistic observations suggest that the S Ar is the result of the transfer of the positive charge center of the protonated nitroso group to the p-methoxy group.