Direct Hydroxylation and Amination of Arenes via Deprotonative Cupration

Deprotonative directed ortho cupration of aromatic/heteroaromatic C–H bond and subsequent oxidation with t-BuOOH furnished functionalized phenols in high yields with high regio- and chemoselectivity. DFT calculations revealed that this hydroxylation reaction proceeds via a copper (I → III → I) redox mechanism. Application of this reaction to aromatic C–H amination using BnONH2 efficiently afforded the corresponding primary anilines. These reactions show broad scope and good functional group compatibility. Catalytic versions of these transformations are also demonstrated.