Transition metal-free, chemoselective arylation of thioamides yielding aryl thioimidates or N-aryl thioamides

Reactions of secondary thioamides with diaryliodonium salts under basic, transition metal-free conditions resulted in chemoselective S-arylation to provide aryl thioimidates in good to excellent yields. Equimolar amounts of thioamide, base and diaryliodonium salt were sufficient to obtain a diverse selection of products within short reaction times. Reactions with thiolactams delivered N-arylated thioamides in good yield at room temperature.