Synthesis of Alkynyl Sulfides by Copper-Catalyzed Thiolation of Terminal Alkynes Using Thiosulfonates.

A mild and odorless copper-catalyzed thiolation of terminal alkynes with thiosulfonates is described. The broad substrate scope provides convenient access to a wide variety of sulfur-containing heterocycles. In particular, divergent benzoheteroles are efficiently prepared in a simple manner by thiolation of ethynylbenzenes bearing ortho-nucleophilic functional groups followed by iodocyclization.