Unique chemoselective Clauson–Kass reaction of substituted aniline catalyzed by MgI2 etherate

Clauson–Kass reaction of various substituted aniline, primary aryl amide, and sufonyl amide with 2,5-dimethoxytetrahydrofuran was realized in the presence of 10 mol % of MgI2 etherate in a mild, efficient, and highly chemoselective manner. Iodide counterion and solvents (i.e., MeCN) played the critical roles for the unique reactivity of this catalytic system.