Transition metal-free base-promoted arylation of sulfenate anions with diaryliodonium salts

Abstract

A transition metal-free, base-promoted arylation of general sulfenate anions with diaryliodonium salts as an aryl source was developed under mild conditions. Retro-Michael reaction and C–S bond formation were involved in this transformation leading to diaryl and aryl alkyl sulfoxides in good yields. This procedure has general substrate scope and is easy to scale-up.