Transition‐Metal‐Free N‐Functionalization of Benzimidazoles and Related Azaheterocycles with α‐Acyloxy Sulfides

Abstract

Direct N‐functionalization of benzimidazoles and related azaheterocycles has been achieved using readily accessible α‐acyloxy sulfides under transition metal‐free conditions. In the presence of the base, potassium carbonate, a variety of N‐functionalized azaheterocyclic compounds bearing an N‐alkyl ester moiety were synthesized from corresponding heterocyclic precursors. The present reaction does not use transition metals, is operationally simple, and has broad substrate scope.