Metal-Free, Hindered, Regioselective Access to Multifunctional Groups Diarylamines via SN 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 SN Ar under weak acid conditions. This SN Ar proceeds under mild reaction conditions, and more significantly, the substrates involved do not necessarily require strong electron-withdrawing groups. Moreover, this SN Ar is characterized by resistance to space crowding, tolerance to halogen and nitroso functional groups, and high regioselectivity. Mechanistic observations suggest that the SN Ar is the result of the transfer of the positive charge center of the protonated nitroso group to the p-methoxy group.