CuI-catalyzed direct synthesis of diaryl thioethers from aryl boronic acids and arylsulfonyl chlorides

A CuI-catalyzed direct coupling of aryl boronic acids with arylsulfonyl chlorides for the preparation of diaryl thioethers was developed. The reaction is initiated by a PPh3 reduction of the arylsulfonyl chloride, followed by a CuI-catalyzed C-S coupling with an aryl boronic acid. Various arylsulfonyl chlorides can directly serve as a sulfur source in this mild and efficient reaction giving the desired products in moderate to good yields. Moreover, this practical method has also been applied to the thioetherification of aryl iodides and acetylacetones.