Copper promoted, directed sulfenylation and phenoxylation of benzamide C−H bonds

Herein we reported a method for copper pivalate mediated, directed functionalization of ortho C−H bonds in (2-methylthio)aniline benzamides. Diaryl disulfides were used for thiolation, while successful phenoxylation was obtained with phenol as the coupling agent. Our report marks a rare example for flexible transformation of benzamide C(sp 2 )−H bonds into the corresponding unsymmetrical diaryl ethers and thioethers.