Copper‐Catalyzed Ring‐Expansion/Thiolactonization via Azidation of Internal Olefinic C–H Bond under Mild Conditions

A copper(I)‐catalyzed, (diacetoxyiodo)benzene [PhI(OAc) 2 ]‐mediated ring‐expansion/thiolactonization of α‐oxo ketene dithioacetals was efficiently realized via azidation of the internal olefinic C−H bond with sodium azide under mild conditions. Sequential amination, ring‐expansion rearrangement, and thiolactonization occurred to form aminated thiolactones in the presence of acetic anhydride as the additive, while only C−H amination to afford the unprotected enamines occurred when using ammonium sulfide as a reducing additive. The in situ generated vinyl azides were confirmed as the reactive intermediates, which were captured by phenylacetylene to produce triazoles. This protocol provides a concise route to thiolactone derivatives and unprotected enamines.