Sulfonium Salts as Alkylating Agents for Palladium-Catalyzed Direct Ortho Alkylation of Anilides and Aromatic Ureas

A novel method for the ortho alkylation of acetanilide and aromatic urea derivatives via C–H activation was developed. Alkyl dibenzothiophenium salts are considered to be new reagents for the palladium-catalyzed C–H activation reaction, which enables the transfer of methyl and other alkyl groups from the sulfonium salt to the aniline derivatives under mild catalytic conditions.