Utilization of sulfur function in directed catalytic C-H transformation: site-selective substitution on indole and naphthalene skeletons

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements on 6 Dec 2022, available at https://doi.org/10.1080/10426507.2022.2152815.
Sulfur-containing functional groups, among various coordinating functions, have recently attracted attention as useful directing groups for the direct catalytic C-H transformation of aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds. Herein we briefly summarize our recent work on the site-selective substitution on indole and naphthalene skeletons using thioether directing groups under either Cp*Rh(III) or Cp*Ir(III) catalysis. The thioether groups can readily be removed and transformed to other functional groups. The reactions developed appear to be of importance in pharmaceutical and materials chemistry.