Synthesis of Thioethers and Thioesters with Alkyl Arylsulfinates as the Sulfenylation Agent under Metal-Free Conditions.

A study on the coupling of cycloalkanes with alkyl arylsulfinates has been performed. Using iodine as the catalyst, through Csp3 -H bond activation and sulfinates reduction, a wide range of thioethers were produced in moderate to high yields. Additionally, various thiocarboxylic esters can also be produced by simply performing the reaction under CO pressure. Notably, this is the first report in which alkyl arylsulfinates were used as sulfenylation agents in a cross-coupling transformation.