Sulfoxylate anion radical-induced aryl radical generation and intramolecular arylation for the synthesis of biarylsultams

Aryl radical generation from the corresponding aryl halides using an electron donor and subsequent intramolecular cyclization with arenes could be an important advancement in contemporary biaryl synthesis. A green and practically useful synthetic protocol to access diverse six-and seven-membered biarylsultams, especially with a free NH group including demonstration of a gram-scale synthesis is reported herein. The sulfoxylate anion radical, generated in situ from the reagents rongalite or sodium dithionite (Na2S2O4), was found to be the key single electron transfer agent forming aryl radicals from aryl halides, which upon intramolecular arylation gives biarylsultams with good to excellent yields. The approach features the generation of aryl radicals that remained underexplored, the use of cheap and readily available industrial reagents, and transition metal-free, mild, and green reaction conditions.