Bifunctional Chiral Electrocatalysts Enable Enantioselective α-Alkylation of Aldehydes

Herein, we describe an innovative approach to the asymmetric electrochemical α-alkylation of aldehydes facilitated by a newly designed bifunctional chiral electrocatalyst. The highly efficient bifunctional chiral electrocatalyst combines a chiral aminocatalyst with a redox mediator. It plays a dual role as a redox mediator for electrooxidation, while simultaneously providing remarkable asymmetric induction for the stereoselective α-alkylation of aldehydes. Additionally, this novel catalyst exhibits enhanced catalytic activity and excellent stereoselective control comparable to conventional catalytic systems. As a result, this strategy provides a new avenue for versatile asymmetric electrochemistry. The electrooxidation of diverse phenols enables the C-H/C-H oxidative α-alkylation of aldehydes in a highly chemo- and stereoselective fashion. Detailed mechanistic studies by control experiments and cyclic voltammetry analysis demonstrate possible reaction pathways and the origin of enantio-induction.

Photoredox/Copper-Catalyzed One-Pot Aminoalkylation/Cyclization of Alkenes with Primary Amines to Synthesize Polysubstituted γ-Lactams

Visible-light-driven chemical transformation has emerged as a powerful tool for the synthesis of γ-lactams. However, during this transformation, the α-bromoimides need to be pre-prepared. Herein, we report a photoreodox/copper-catalyzed one-pot three-component reaction of alkenes with primary amines for the construction of γ-lactams. In this transformation, the orthoquinones were generated via a photocatalytic pathway, followed by attack by Cu-amido complexes and intramolecular cyclization to give the γ-lactams. This method represents a simple synthetic route displaying broad functional group tolerance, including substrates bearing alcohols, ketones, heterocycles, esters, halides, alkynes, nitriles, ethers, etc.

Primary activation of para-quinone methides by chiral phosphoric acid for enantioselective construction of tetraarylmethanes

Demonstrated here is an asymmetric nucleophilic addition via primary activation of para-quinone methides (p-QMs) based on a chiral phosphoric acid catalytic system. In sharp contrast to previous CPA-based bifunctional activation processes that all required the nucleophiles to have an effective hydrogen bond donor unit (e.g., OH, NH), here no such unit is required in the nucleophile. N-protected indole nucleophiles were successfully utilized for the synthesis of chiral tetraarylmethanes with high efficiency and enantioselectivity under mild conditions. Therefore, this protocol significantly expanded the scope of asymmetric transformations of p-QMs.

One-Step Protocol for the Synthesis of Cyanoacrylates Promoted by Elemental Sulfur from p-Quinone Methides and Cyanoacetates under Basic Conditions

Cyanoacrylates have a wide range of biological activities and are extensively applied in production and daily life. Classic synthetic routes to cyanoacrylates have many limitations. Herein, we demonstrate an elemental sulfur-promoted method for the synthesis of β,β-diaryl cyanoacrylates by a tandem 1,6-Michael addition/oxidation/elimination process from p-QMs and cyanoacetates under optimal conditions. The effective protocol has good substrate scopes and yields, and the ratio of inseparable E/Z isomers of cyanoacrylates is also determined by 1HNMR.

Palladium-Catalyzed Annulative Coupling of Spirovinylcyclopropyl Oxindoles with p-Quinone Methides

Pd-catalyzed annulative coupling of spirovinylcyclopropyl oxindoles with p-quinone methides has been accomplished via cascade carbon-carbon bond formation to afford bis-spirooxindole scaffolds. The mild reaction conditions, diastereoselectivity, functional group diversity, post-synthetic transformations, and mechanistic studies using DFT calculations are the important practical features.

Cu-Catalyzed Asymmetric Kinetic Boron Conjugate Addition of γ-Substituted α,β-Unsaturated γ-Lactams

Chiral α,β-unsaturated γ-lactams bearing simple γ- substituents are found in biologically active molecules and natural products, however, their synthesis still remains difficult. Herein, we report an efficient kinetic resolution (KR) of γ-substituted α,β-unsaturated γ-lactams via a Cu-catalyzed asymmetric boron conjugate addition, which also leads to the efficient synthesis of chiral β-hydroxy-γ-lactams with β,γ-stereogenic carbon centers. The KR proceeded smoothly with a wide range of γ-alkyl or aryl substituted substrates including those bearing aromatic heterocycles and different N-protected substrates in up to 347 of s value. Their highly versatile transformations, synthetic utility in biologically active molecules, and inhibitory activities against cisplatin-sensitive ovarian cancer cell A2780 have also been demonstrated. Differing from the well-known mechanism involving Cu-B species in Cu-catalyzed boron conjugate additions, our mechanistic studies using density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experiments indicate that a Lewis acid CuI -catalyzed mechanism is the likely pathway in the catalytic reaction.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Remotely Chiral Naphthols and Naphthylamines via Naphthoquinone Methides

Quinone methides are well-established intermediates in asymmetric synthesis. In contrast, their extended analogues with the carbonyl and methide units distributed across two different rings have not been exploited in asymmetric synthesis. Herein, we achieved the first asymmetric process involving such intermediates. Specifically, the use of suitable chiral phosphoric acids enabled in situ generation of 2-naphthoquinone 8-methides and the corresponding aza counterparts for mild one-pot asymmetric nucleophilic addition. These processes provided rapid access to a wide range of previously less accessible remotely chiral naphthols and naphthylamines with both high efficiency and excellent enantioselectivity. Control experiment and DFT calculations provided important insights into the reaction mechanism, which likely involves two phosphoric acid molecules in the enantiodetermining transition states. This work serves as a proof of concept for the exploitation of new types of extended quinone methides as versatile intermediates for asymmetric synthesis, thus providing a new platform for the efficient construction of remote benzylic stereogenic centers of aromatic compounds.

Addition of sulfonylphthalides to para-quinone methides: Selective 1,6-additions and oxidative annulations

KO^tBu mediated addition of sulfonylphthalides to p-quinone methides led to the selective synthesis of isochroman-1,4-diones and addition products. Interestingly, isochroman-1,4-diones were obtained via an unprecedented oxidative annulation pathway. The present work highlights a wide variety of substrates, good yields, shorter reaction time and ambient reaction conditions. Furthermore, a few addition products were transformed into functionalized heterocyclic molecules. Additionally, the scale-up experiment suggests the practical feasibility of preparing isochroman-1,4-diones in higher-scale reactions.

Stereospecific Acylative Suzuki–Miyaura Cross-Coupling: General Access to Optically Active α-Aryl Carbonyl Compounds

A novel strategy for the stereospecific Pd-catalyzed acylative cross-coupling of enantiomerically enriched alkylboron compounds has been developed. The protocol features an extremely high level of enantiospecificity to allow facile access to synthetically challenging and valuable chiral ketones and carboxylic acid derivatives. The use of a sterically encumbered and electron-rich phosphine ligand proved to be crucial for the success of the reaction. Furthermore, on the basis of experimental and computational studies, a unique mechanism for the transmetalation, assisted by the noncovalent interactions of the C(sp³)-based organoboron reagent, has been identified.

Transition-Metal-Free Multicomponent Approach to the Regioselective Synthesis of Highly Substituted N-Alkylpyrazoles

An efficient transition-metal-free multicomponent approach to the regioselective synthesis of highly substituted N-alkylpyrazoles through 1,6-addition of pyrazole (in situ generated from α,β-unsaturated aldehyde and hydrazide) to para-Quinone Methides has been developed. The N-alkylpyrazole containing triarylmethanes having several heteroaryl rings (quinoline, pyridine, thiophene) at the central methine carbon atom was developed. This chemical process may be used for large-scale synthesis and provides a novel way to produce triarylmethanes with diverse functional groups.

Atom-Economic Synthesis of Unsymmetrical gem-Diarylmethylthio/Seleno Glycosides via Base Mediated C(O)-S/Se Bond Cleavage and Acyl Transfer Approach of Glycosylthio/Selenoacetates

Herein, we invented the Cs₂CO₃-mediated atom economic method that streamlines the scission of the C(O)-S/Se bond involving the in situ generation of an anomeric thiolate/selenolate anion, which reacted with p-QMs to yield novel unsymmetrical gem-diarylmethylthio/seleno glycosides while retaining the anomeric stereochemistry. Notably, the key features of this protocol involve unprecedented long-range acyl transfer (from S/Se to O), thus affording acylation of the final product which is not yet reported by classical methods. This straightforward protocol offers a mild, short reaction time, synthetically simple approach, and compatibility with 8 types of sugar along with phenylthio/benzylseleno esters.

Room-Temperature ZnBr2 -Catalyzed Regioselective 1,6-Hydroarylation of Electron-Rich Arenes to para-Quinone Methides: Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Triarylmethanes

A mild and efficient Zn(II)-catalyzed regioselective 1,6-hydroarylation of para-quinone methides (p-QMs) with electron-rich arenes protocol is reported. A variety of electron-rich arenes and para-quinone methides are well tolerated under mild conditions, delivering a broad range of triarylmethanes in good to excellent yields. The present method also works well for the hydroarylation of p-QMs with other nucleophiles, such as aniline, indole and phenol derivatives, offering the corresponding triarylmethanes with good yields under the standard conditions. The possible mechanism for the formation of C(sp³ )-C(sp² ) bonds in hydroarylation reactions has been explored by step-by-step control experiments, and the reaction may follow a second-order manner in a chemical kinetic study.

Transition-Metal-Free Synthesis of Polyfluoro-Polyarylmethanes via Direct Cross-Coupling of Polyfluoroarenes and Benzyl Chlorides

The transition-metal-free direct cross-coupling between polyfluoroarenes and benzyl chlorides is reported. In this strategy, a variety of polyfluoro di-, tri- and tetra-arylmethanes was efficiently prepared with good to excellent yields in the presence of Mg turnings via a one-pot procedure. Significantly, this method provides a general approach for the synthesis of polyfluorinated polyarylmethanes.

Preparation of Chitosan-Composite-Film-Supported Copper Nanoparticles and Their Application in 1,6-Hydroboration Reactions of p-Quinone Methides

Here, we describe the preparation of copper nanoparticles that are stabilized on a chitosan composite film (CP@Cu). This material could catalyze the 1,6-hydroboration reactions of p-quinone methides with B₂pin₂ as a boron source under mild conditions. This reaction exhibited very good functional group compatibility, and the organoboron compounds that were formed could easily be converted into corresponding hydroxyl products with good to excellent yields. This newly developed methodology provides an efficient and sequential pathway for the synthesis of gem-disubstituted methanols.

Boosting the Enantioselectivity of Conjugate Borylation of α,β-Disubstituted Cyclobutenones with Monooxides of Chiral C2 -Symmetric Bis(phosphine) Ligands

Chiral bis(phosphine) monooxides (BPMOs) derived from C₂ -symmetric bis(phosphines) have been found to induce superior levels of enantioselection in copper-catalyzed conjugate borylation of α,β-disubstituted cyclobutenones. More precisely, enantiomeric excesses as well as chemical yields are exceedingly high with (R,R)-Bozphos as the chiral ligand while these values are low with parent (R,R)-Me-Duphos. A similar yet less pronounced effect was seen in the corresponding 1,6-addition to para-quinone methides.

Catalytic Access to 4-(sec-Alkyl)Anilines via 1,6-Conjugate Addition of Grignard Reagents to in Situ Generated aza-p-Quinone Methides

The synthesis of aniline derivatives, common building blocks in many pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, dyes or polymers, has been limited to reactions based on benzene-toluene-xylene derivatives (BTX) due to their ample availability. Despite the large number of existing methodologies, the synthesis of chiral 4-(sec-alkyl)anilines has not been accomplished so far. In this work, a tandem strategy based on the generation of a reactive aza-p-quinone methide (aza-p-QM) intermediate followed by Cu(I)-catalyzed addition of Grignard reagents has been developed.

Enantioselective synthesis of triarylmethanes via organocatalytic transfer hydrogenation of para-quinone methides

A new organocatalytic asymmetric method for the synthesis of enantioenriched triarylmethanes is developed. Different from the conventional approaches featuring asymmetric arylation, the present study employs asymmetric reduction via C-H bond formation as the key step. This approach does not require the presence of a heteroaryl ring or the presynthesis of unstable para-quinone methides. Instead, the stable racemic triarylmethanols were used as substrates for the in situ generation of the intermediates with a suitable chiral phosphoric acid catalyst.

Synthesis and characterization of tetraphenylammonium salts

The phenyl (Ph) group is a representative substituent in the field of organic chemistry as benzene (the parent molecule) is of fundamental importance. Simple Ph-substituted compounds of common chemical elements are well known. However, extensive structural characterization of tetraphenylammonium (Ph₄N⁺) salts has not been reported. Herein, the synthesis of Ph₄N⁺ salts and their characterization data including the ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra and the single-crystal X-ray structure have been presented. An intermolecular radical coupling reaction between an aryl radical and a triarylammoniumyl radical cation was conducted to synthesize the target moieties. The Ph₄N⁺ salts described herein are the simplest tetraarylammonium (Ar₄N⁺) salts known. The results reported herein can potentially help access the otherwise inaccessible non-bridged Ar₄N⁺ salts, a new class of rigid and sterically hindered organic cations.

Tetraphenylammonium (Ph₄N⁺) salts remain synthetically inaccessible despite their simple chemical structure. Here, the authors have synthesized Ph₄N⁺ salts and provided characterization including a single-crystal X-ray structure.

1,6-Addition of 1,2,3-NH triazoles to para-quinone methides: Facile access to highly selective N1 and N2 substituted triazoles

The regioselective syntheses of N¹ and N² substituted triazoles through a 1,6-addition reaction of 1,2,3-NH triazoles to p-quinone methide were achieved under mild reaction conditions. The present reactions showed superior results in terms of selectivity, mild reaction conditions, short reaction time and broad substrate scope with good functional-group compatibility. Considering the high synthetic value of N¹- and N²-substituted compounds and p-QM related research, the present strategy will greatly benefit researchers in various fields.

Visible light-mediated synthesis of α-alkoxy/hydroxy diarylacetaldehydes from terminal alkynes

A visible light-mediated approach enabling the use of alcohols as nucleophiles in a one-step synthesis of α-alkoxy/hydroxy diarylacetaldehydes is reported.

Ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed regioselective 1,6-conjugate addition of umpolung aldehydes as carbanion equivalents

Highly regioselective 1,6-conjugate addition was developed using hydrazone as carbanion equivalent catalyzed by ruthenium under mild conditions.

Copper-catalyzed asymmetric 1,6-conjugate addition of in situ generated para-quinone methides with β-ketoesters

A Cu-catalyzed asymmetric 1,6-conjugate addition of in situ generated para-quinone methides (p-QMs) with β-ketoester has been developed to construct the ketoester skeleton bearing adjacent tertiary-quaternary carbon stereocenter in good yields...

Dearomatization of 2,3-Disubstituted Indoles via 1,8-Addition of Propargylic (Aza)-para-Quinone Methides

Dearomatization of indole is a useful strategy to access indolimines: a motif widely exists in biologically active molecules and natural products. Herein, an efficient method for the dearomatization of 2,3-disubstituted indoles to generate diverse indolimines with tetrasubstituted allenes is described. This work accomplishes dearomatization of 2,3-disubstituted indoles through 1,8-addition of (aza)-para-quinone methides, which are generated in situ from propargylic alcohols. A series of synthetically useful indolimines containing quaternary carbon centers and tetrasubstituted allenes can be accessed in good yields (up to 99%). Additionally, the separability of product isomers, diversified product transformations, and easy scale-up of the reaction demonstrate the potential application of this method.

Enantioselective Copper-Catalyzed Electrophilic Sulfenylation of Cyclic Imino Esters

Herein we report an enantioselective sulfenylation of cyclic imino esters with the efficient and versatile sulfenylation reagent S-alkyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonothioates. By utilizing the Cu/^tBu-Phosferrox catalytic system, we can assemble diverse S-alkyl groups into the cyclic imino esters under mild conditions in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities. Remarkably, this method demonstrates a high tolerance of diverse functional groups and proves to be applicable in the late-stage functionalization of pharmaceuticals.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Tri- and Tetrasubstituted Olefins via 1,6-Additions of Diazo Compounds and Their Precursors to p-Quinone Methides

Reactions of para-quinone methides (p-QMs) with α-diazo-β-ketosulfones and their corresponding esters as well as simple β-dicarbonyl compounds and β-ketosulfones have been carried out under basic conditions. While the reaction of diazosulfone with p-QMs afforded trisubstituted olefins via deacylative 1,6-addition and elimination, α-diazo-β-ketoesters and various active methylene compounds such as 1,3-dicarbonyls and β-ketosulfones afforded tetrasubstituted olefins via 1,6-addition and aerial oxidation. These simple, environmentally benign, and mechanistically diverse protocols provided the products in moderate to excellent yields and selectivities.

Highly Diastereoselective Synthesis of Tetrahydroquinoline Derivatives via [4 + 2] Annulation of Ortho-Tosylaminophenyl-Substituted Para-Quinone Methides and Cyanoalkenes

As a privileged structural motif, tetrahydroquinoline skeletons widely exist in biologically active natural products and pharmaceuticals. In this protocol, a highly diastereoselective [4 + 2] annulation of ortho-tosylaminophenyl-substituted p-QMs and cyanoalkenes to construct tetrahydroquinoline derivatives has been successfully achieved. This strategy proceeds efficiently under mild condition, offering straightforward route to a variety of 4-aryl-substituted tetrahydroquinolines with high yields, excellent diastereoselectivities, broad functional group tolerance as well as gram-scale capacity. Moreover, a one-pot reaction sequence utilizing in situ generated p-QMs under the similar condition to build tetrahydroquinoline framework is smoothly conducted with good reaction performance as well as step and atom economy.

Dirhodium-Catalyzed Enantioselective B-H Bond Insertion of gem-Diaryl Carbenes: Efficient Access to gem-Diarylmethine Boranes

The scarcity of reliable methods for synthesizing chiral gem-diarylmethine borons limits their applications. Herein, we report a method for highly enantioselective dirhodium-catalyzed B-H bond insertion reactions with diaryl diazomethanes as carbene precursors. These reactions afforded chiral gem-diarylmethine borane compounds in high yield (up to 99 % yield), high activity (turnover numbers up to 14 300), high enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee) and showed unprecedented broad functional group tolerance. The borane compounds synthesized by this method could be efficiently transformed into diaryl methanol, diaryl methyl amine, and triaryl methane derivatives with good stereospecificity. Mechanistic studies suggested that the borane adduct coordinated to the rhodium catalyst and thus interfered with decomposition of the diazomethane, and that insertion of a rhodium carbene (generated from the diaryl diazomethane) into the B-H bond was most likely the rate-determining step.

Recent advances in asymmetric borylation by transition metal catalysis

Chiral organoboronates have played a critical role in organic chemistry and in the development of materials science and pharmaceuticals. Much effort has been devoted to exploring synthetic methodologies for the preparation of these compounds during the past few decades. Among the known methods, asymmetric catalysis has emerged as a practical and highly efficient strategy for their straightforward preparation, and recent years have witnessed remarkable advances in this respect. Approaches such as asymmetric borylative addition, asymmetric allylic borylation and stereospecific cross-coupling borylation, have been extensively explored and well established employing transition-metal catalysis with a chiral ligand. This review provides a comprehensive overview of transition metal-catalysed asymmetric borylation processes to construct carbon-boron, carbon-carbon, and other carbon-heteroatom bonds. It summarises a range of recent achievements in this area of research, with considerable attention devoted to the reaction modes and the mechanisms involved.

Enantioselective Construction of Single and Vicinal All-Carbon Quaternary Stereocenters through Ion-Pair-Catalyzed 1,6-Conjugate Addition

An asymmetric 1,6-conjugate addition to presynthesized δ-aryl-δ-cyano-disubstituted para-quinone methides through bifunctional phosphonium-amide-promoted ion-pair catalysis for acyclic all-carbon quaternary stereocenter construction has been described. Both acyclic and cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyls participate in the asymmetric alkylation reaction, furnishing a wide array of diarylmethanes bearing a single acyclic quaternary carbon stereocenter or vicinal cyclic and acyclic quaternary carbon stereocenters with high efficiency and excellent stereoselectivity. Computational studies elucidate the origin of the enantioselectivity.

Organocatalytic asymmetric formal oxidative coupling for the construction of all-aryl quaternary stereocenters

A new catalytic asymmetric formal cross dehydrogenative coupling process for the construction of all-aryl quaternary stereocenters is disclosed, which provides access to rarely explored chiral tetraarylmethanes with excellent enantioselectivity. The suitable oxidation conditions and the hydrogen-bond-based organocatalysis have enabled efficient intermolecular C–C bond formation in an overwhelmingly crowded environment under mild conditions. para-Quinone methides bearing an ortho-directing group serve as the key intermediate. The precise loading of DDQ is critical to the high enantioselectivity. The chiral products have also been demonstrated as promising antiviral agents.

A one-pot oxidation of racemic triarylmethanes to form para-quinone methides followed by enantioselective construction of all-aryl quaternary stereocenters has been developed.

Transition-Metal-Free Synthesis of Polyfunctional Triarylmethanes and 1,1-Diarylalkanes by Sequential Cross-Coupling of Benzal Diacetates with Organozinc Reagents

A variety of functionalized triarylmethane and 1,1-diarylalkane derivatives were prepared via a transition-metal-free, one-pot and two-step procedure, involving the reaction of various benzal diacetates with organozinc reagents. A sequential cross-coupling is enabled by changing the solvent from THF to toluene, and a two-step SN 1-type mechanism was proposed and evidenced by experimental studies. The synthetic utility of the method is further demonstrated by the synthesis of several biologically relevant molecules, such as an anti-tuberculosis agent, an anti-breast cancer agent, a precursor of a sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator, and a FLAP inhibitor.

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Conjugate 1,6-, 1,8-, and 1,10-Borylation

Catalytic asymmetric remote conjugate borylation is challenging as the control of regioselectivity is not trivial, the electrophilicity of remote sites is extenuated, and the remote asymmetric induction away from the carbonyl group is difficult. Herein, catalytic asymmetric conjugate 1,6-, 1,8- and 1,10-borylation was developed with excellent regioselectivity, which delivered α-chiral boronates in moderate to high yields with high enantioselectivity. The produced chiral boronate smoothly underwent oxidation, cross-coupling, and one-carbon homologation to give synthetically versatile chiral compounds in moderate yields with excellent stereoretention. Furthermore, a stereomechanistic analysis was conducted using DFT calculations, which provides insights into the origins of the regioselectivity. Finally, the present 1,6-borylation was successfully applied in an efficient one-pot asymmetric synthesis of (-)-7,8-dihydrokavain.

Palladium-Catalyzed Linear Hydrothiocarbonylation of Unactivated Terminal Alkenes: Synthesis of Aliphatic Thioesters

A Pd-catalyzed hydrothiocarbonylation of unactivated terminal alkenes is presented. According to this protocol, aliphatic thioesters were synthesized with exclusive linear selectivity under mild reaction conditions. Good to excellent yields (up to 91% yield), broad substrate scope, broad functional group tolerance, and utility of the method demonstrated the advantages of this protocol.

Construction of fully substituted carbon centers containing a heteroatom and a CF3 group via in situ generated p-quinone methides

1,6-Conjugate additions of in situ generated δ-CF3-δ-substituted p-quinone methides have been achieved with a variety of heteronucleophiles under mild conditions, which led to facile and practical construction of fully substituted carbon centers including a heteroatom and a CF3 group. In particular, it was revealed that some amines themselves worked for efficient cleavage of the TBS protective group, and addition of a catalytic amount of an appropriate Brønsted acid was found to sometimes improve the progress of the desired process.

Hf(OTf)4-Catalyzed 1,6-Conjugate Addition of 2-Alkyl-azaarenes to para-Quinone Methides

Herein we reported a Hf(OTf)₄-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond formation reaction between 2-alkyl-azaarenes and para-quinone methides (p-QMs). This 1,6-conjugate addition protocol offered rapid access to a large array of triarylethane products in good yields. The catalyst loading could be reduced to 1 mol %. Studies pertinent to scale-up reaction and product derivatization were also presented.

Metal-Free, Acid/Phosphine-Induced Regioselective Thiolation of p-Quinone Methides with Sodium Aryl/Alkyl Sulfinates

A simple and efficient method for the regioselective thiolation of p-quinone methides with sodium aryl/alkyl sulfinates has been established using an acid/phosphine-induced radical route under transition-metal-free conditions. A broad range of sodium aryl/alkyl sulfinates and p-quinone methides (p-QMs) are compatible for the reaction, giving the expected products with good to excellent yields. Control experiments were also performed to gain insights into the generation mechanism of thiyl radicals and hydrogen-atom transfer process. This protocol provides a safe and feasible way for the formation of carbon-sulfur bonds.