Metal-free C–H thioarylation of arenes using sulfoxides: A direct, general diaryl sulfide synthesis

A metal-free synthesis of diaryl sulfides involves direct C-H thioarylation of arenes using methyl sulfoxides. Facile cross coupling of arenes and heteroarenes with in situ activated sulfoxides constitutes the first general metal-free protocol for the synthesis of high value diaryl sulfides, motifs that are prevalent in many biologically active molecules. The C-H thioarylation requires only one prefunctionalized partner, is regioselective, uses commercial or readily available starting materials that are stable and non-malodorous, is operationally simple, and takes place under mild conditions, thus tolerating a wide range of functional groups. The metal-free C-H functionalization can be used for the construction and late-stage modification of important molecular scaffolds.