Polyaniline-Induced C-H Arylation of Arenes with Arenediazonium Salts

A reduced form of polyaniline has been shown to induce direct arylation of an arenediazonium salt with an arene (Gomberg-Bachmann reaction) to give the cross-coupling product in moderate to good yields under mild conditions. Various arenediazonium salts and arenes, including heteroarenes such as furans, thiophenes, and pyrroles, are employed for the reaction. The most favorable combination of substrates is an electron-poor arenediazonium salt with an electron-rich heteroarene. Investigation of the mechanism by reactions with radical scavengers and experiments on kinetic isotope effects indicated the occurrence of a radical chain reaction initiated by one-electron reduction of an arenediazonium salt by the polyaniline. Only 1 mol % (based on aniline tetramer) of the polyaniline is required for the cross-coupling reaction to occur. This reaction proceeds under metal-free conditions and with no need for photonic activation.