A sulfenylation reaction: direct synthesis of 3-arylsulfinylindoles from arylsulfinic acids and indoles in water.

A novel and efficient electrophilic sulfenylation of indoles with arylsulfinic acids is realized. The reaction utilizes readily available starting materials in water under catalyst- and additive-free conditions, providing an alternative and attractive approach to 3-arylsulfinylindoles with high yields. Preliminary mechanistic investigation suggested that the reaction is through an electrophilic substitution process.