CuI-catalyzed regioselective hydrothiolation of alkynes: a thiol-free route to (Z)-β-alkenyl sulfides

Abstract

A thiol-free procedure for regioselective preparation of (Z)-β-alkenyl sulfides via a three-component reaction of aryl/alkyl halides, phenylacetylene, and potassium isopropylxanthate in the presence of copper iodide as a catalyst in polyethylene glycol is reported. In this study, a xanthate salt is used as an odorless source of sulfur. The reactions proceed in a one-pot and single-step pathway with the formation of the carbothionate intermediate identified using NMR data as well as exclusively forming the Z isomer.