Copper-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Regioselective Thiocyanation of Aromatics and Heteroaromatics

A copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative reaction between aromatics or heteroaromatics with KSCN is developed by using O 2 as the oxidant. The combination of Cu(OTf) 2, N, N, N ′, N ′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) and BF 3 ·Et 2 O provides an efficient catalytic system, affording substituted thiocyanation products and 2-aminobenzothiazoles in excellent yields. The reaction also possesses a good functional group tolerance for both strong electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups.