RhCl3‑Catalyzed Oxidative C–H/C–H Cross-Coupling of (Hetero)aromatic Sulfonamides with (Hetero)arenes

1,1′-Bi­(hetero)­aryl 2-sulfonamide scaffolds have been widely used as a privileged structure in drug discovery. Herein, we report an efficient rhodium-catalyzed oxidative C–H/C–H cross-coupling between a (hetero)­aromatic sulfonamide and a (hetero)­arene to afford ortho-sulfonamido bi­(hetero)­aryls. This methodology features broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, and relatively inexpensive catalyst (without the use of RhCp*). A wide range of (hetero)­arenes such as thiophenes, benzothiophenes, pyrroles, furans, benzofuran, indolizine, and simple arenes can engage in this transformation. This protocol also provides a facile route to bi­(hetero)­aryl sultams and dibenzo­[b,d]­thiophene 5,5-dioxides through further intramolecular cyclization, indicating its potential application in materials exploitation.