K2S2O8/arenesulfinate: an unprecedented thiolating system enabling selective sulfenylation of indoles under metal-free conditions

Abstract

An unprecedented thiolating system K₂S₂O₈/arenesulfinate is described for selective sulfenylation of indoles in CH₃CN/H₂O. This metal-free strategy enables a simple, efficient and environment-benign approach to the pharmaceutically important candidates, 3-arylthioindoles. Catalytically reactive halogen and aryl groups are well tolerated.