Sulfenylation of Arenes with Ethyl Arylsulfinates in Water

A tetrabutylammonium iodide-mediated direct sulfenylation of arenes with ethyl arylsulfinates in water was developed. Various electron-rich arenes and ethyl arylsulfinates were investigated in the reaction, and a series of aryl sulfides were obtained in excellent yields. The advantages of this green protocol were simple reaction conditions (metal-free, water as the solvent, and under air), odorless and easily available sulfur reagent, broad substrate scope, and gram-scale synthesis. Moreover, the potential application of aryl sulfides was exemplified by further transformations.

Publication year:2020