Synthesis of unsymmetrical sulfides using ethyl potassium xanthogenate and recyclable copper catalyst under ligand-free conditions.

The synthesis of unsymmetrical sulfides has been achieved in good to excellent yields with inexpensive ethyl potassium xanthogenate via cross-coupling reaction using recyclable CuO nanoparticles under ligand-free conditions.The copper oxide nanoparticles can be recovered and reused up to five cycles without loss of activity.