The aerobic oxidative hydroxysulfurization of gem-difluoroalkenes to produce α,α-difluoro-β-hydroxysulfides

Abstract

The efficient aerobic oxidative hydroxysulfurization of gem-difluoroalkenes with aryl or even alkyl thiols to produce α,α-difluoro-β-hydroxysulfides has been developed. The reaction was found to display several advantageous attributes, including high levels of chemoselectivity and regioselectivity, moderate to excellent yields, broad substrate scope, and the ability to be scaled up in the absence of any transition metals or phosphine reductants. For this reason and due to its high efficiency, easy operation, and environmental safety, the reaction was deemed to conform to the ideology of green chemistry.