(2-Pyridyl) sulfonyl Groups for ortho-Directing Palladium-Catalyzed Carbon-Halogen Bond Formation at Functionalized Arenes

We describe an efficient palladium-catalyzed selective C-H ortho-monohalogenation (X=I, Br, Cl, F) of various functionalized (2-pyridyl) aryl-sulfones. ortho-, meta-and para-functionalization is tolerated at the arene group which undergoes C-H halogenation. Some modifications are also possible on the 2-(arylsulfonyl) heteroaryl directing groups. A comparison of the halogenation efficiency suggests that bromination is the practical method of choice, while chlorination and fluorination are possible but more challenging. Under forcing conditions ortho-dihalogenation can also be achieved.