Catalytic C–H Imidation of Aromatic Cores of Functional Molecules: Ligand-Accelerated Cu Catalysis and Application to Materials- and Biology-Oriented Aromatics

Versatile imidation of aromatic C–H bonds was accomplished. In the presence of copper bromide and 6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridyl, a range of aromatics, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic bowls, porphyrins, heteroaromatics, and natural products, can be imidated by N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide. A dramatic ligand-accelerated copper catalysis and an interesting kinetic profile were uncovered.