Cyano-Sacrificial (Arylthio)arylamination of Quinoline and Isoquinoline N‑Oxides Using N‑(2-(Arylthio)aryl)cyanamides

A copper­(I)-catalyzed regioselective arylthio-arylamination of quinoline and isoquinoline N-oxides has been achieved at the expense of a cyano (CN) group from N-(2-(arylthio)­aryl)­cyanamides. This reductive amination proceeds in one pot at 80 °C in the absence of any additives. This is a unique demonstration of aryl cyanamides serving as arylaminating agents on quinoline/isoquinoline N-oxides with concurrent autoreduction of N-oxide.