Oxidative Nucleophilic Cyclization of 2‑Alkynylanilines with Thiophenols under Metal-Free Conditions

An oxidative nucleophilic cyclization of 2-alkynylanilines with thiophenols under metal-free conditions was developed. The one-pot two-step reaction involves a PhI­(OAc)₂-mediated oxidative dearomatization and a Brønsted acid promoted nucleophilic cyclization. DFT calculations were performed to understand the reaction pathway.