Metal-free oxysulfenylation of alkenes with 1-(arylthio)pyrrolidine-2,5-diones and alcohols.

β-Alkoxy sulfides are widely used as versatile building blocks in organic synthesis. Therefore, it is highly desirable to develop a convenient and efficient method for oxysulfenylation of alkenes. In this communication, an easy and efficient metal-free approach to β-alkoxy sulfides has been developed. The protocol uses readily available 1-(arylthio)pyrrolidine-2,5-diones and alcohols as the oxysulfenylating agents, chloroform as the solvent, and no ligand, additive and exclusion of air were required. Therefore, the present method provides a useful strategy for synthesis of β-alkoxy sulfides.