One-Pot Tandem Access to Phenothiazine Derivatives from Acetanilide and 2-Bromothiophenol via Rhodium-Catalyzed C–H Thiolation and Copper-Catalyzed C–N Amination

A one-pot and step economic reaction involving Rh(III)-catalyzed C–H thiolation and relay Cu(II)-catalyzed C–N amination of acetanilide and 2-bromothiophenol is reported here, with several valuable phenothiazine products obtained. This synthesis protocol proceeds from easily starting materials, demonstrating high atom economy, broad substrate scope, and good yield. Furthermore, the directing group can be easily eliminated, and chlorpromazine is provided in a large scale; thus this synthesis protocol could be utilized to construct phenothiazine scaffolds.