Activation of chlorine and fluorine by a phenylazo group towards nucleophilic aromatic substitution. Regioselective preparation of polysubstituted anilines

A phenylazo group was used for selective activation of ortho fluorine and chlorine atoms towards nucleophilic aromatic substitution with the propanethiolate anion. This enabled a regioselective synthesis of three substituted 4-alkoxyanilines. The regioselectivity of substitution was confirmed by comparison of experimental NMR chemical shifts with empirically predicted values. The observed reactivity of the substrates is discussed in the context of the substituent effect.