Oxidative coupling of dibenzyl disulfide with amines catalyzed by quinoline-bromine complex: access to thioamides.

The reaction of dibenzyl disulfide with various bromine complexes as oxidants and DMSO as solvent can produce thioamides in high yield at 110 °C. Tertiary amines like pyridine and quinoline, which were utilized in this catalyst, are known to generate bromine-addition complexes. The approach is metal- and additive-free, making it a simple and cost-effective way to make a variety of thioamides under favorable circumstances.