Metal-free C-H amination of arene with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide catalysed by nitroxyl radicals at room temperature

A TEMPO-catalysed direct amination of arene through C-H bond cleavage employing N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) as the amination reagent in good to excellent yields with broad arene scope in the absence of any metal, ligand or additive is reported. Unlike previous transition metal-catalysed aminations in which high reaction temperatures are usually necessary, this novel reaction at room temperature is the first example of C-H amination with NFSI that is realised via organocatalysis. The probable mechanism of this concise amination is also proposed.