Synthesis of o-Arylenediamines through Elemental Sulfur-Promoted Aerobic Dehydrogenative Aromatization of Cyclohexanones with Arylamines

Herein, the first elemental sulfur-promoted aerobic dehydrogenative aromatization of cyclohexanones is described that provides novel access to synthetically useful o-arylenediamines. This protocol complements previous palladium- and iodine-catalyzed diarylamine formation from cyclohexanones and anilines.