Metal-free synthesis of N-aryloxyimides and aryloxyamines.

N-hydroxyphthalimide and N-hydroxysuccinimide have been arylated with diaryliodonium salts to provide N-aryloxyimides in excellent yields in short reaction times. A novel hydrolysis under mild and hydrazine-free conditions yielded aryloxyamines, which are valuable building blocks in the synthesis of oxime ethers and benzofurans.