Nickel-Catalyzed Gas-Free Reductive Carbonylation of Aryl Thianthrenium Salts to Access Aryl Amides and Aryl Thioesters

A nickel-catalyzed site-selective reductive carbonylation of arenes via aryl thianthrenium salts is described. Using Mo(CO)6 as a convenient solid CO source and reductant and employing nitroarenes and sulfonyl chlorides as readily available nitrogen and sulfur sources, a range of aryl amides and aryl thioesters were successfully synthesized in moderate to good yields. The utility of this transformation is demonstrated through the synthesis of antimicrobial agents and the late-stage functionalization of biorelevant molecules.