NaI-Mediated Acetamidosulphenylation of Alkenes with Nitriles as the Nucleophiles: A Direct Access to Acetamidosulfides

Iodine-catalyzed regioselective direct sulfenylation of uracil with sulfonyl hydrazide as sulfur source under solvent free conditions

A facile method was developed for the selective thioetherification of uracils using sulfonyl hydrazide as the thioetherification reagent. This method offers advantages such as avoiding the use of additives and expensive metal catalysts, and providing good to excellent yields of various uracil thioethers. Experimental studies have demonstrated that the reaction follows a free radical pathway. Notably, the reaction can be carried out without solvent.

Advances in Difunctionalization of Olefins with Diorganyl Dichalcogenides

Organochalcogen molecules have extensive applications in various fields. They serve as pharmaceuticals, ligands, organocatalysts, agrochemicals, and other functional materials. Difunctionalization of olefins, which belong to a class of multicomponent reactions, is a successful technique for introducing two functional moieties in a single-step reaction, both in terms of atom economy and step economy. The difunctionalization of olefins with diorganyl dichalcogenides may effectively increase the molecular complexity, which has achieved significant advancements in recent decades. This article describes recent advancements in the difunctionalization of olefins with diorganyl diselenides and diorganyl disulfides.

Three-Component Tandem Amidosulfenylation of Alkenes for the Synthesis of β-Succinimide Sulfides

An environmentally benign multicomponent strategy for the amidosulfenylation of alkenes for the synthesis of β-succinimide sulfides is disclosed. In this process, common disulfides smoothly act as a sulfur-based source, and N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) is used not only as a free radical initiator but also as an N-nucleophile. A broad range of functional groups are tolerated in this reaction system.

Lewis Acid-Mediated Electrophilic Thiolative Difunctionalization of Enimides: Rapid Access to β-Amino Sulfides

An efficient and practical route for the synthesis of β-amino sulfides by Lewis acid-mediated electrophilic thiolative difunctionalization of enimides is disclosed. A series of free phenols, electron-rich arene, alcohol, azide, and hydride, are successfully incorporated into the substrates in high regio- and stereoselectivities under mild conditions. The obtained products possess multiple functional groups and can be easily transformed to other valuable molecules.

Decarboxylative ring-opening of 2-oxazolidinones: a facile and modular synthesis of β-chalcogen amines

We report herein the synthesis of primary and secondary β-chalcogen amines through the regioselective ring-opening reaction of non-activated 2-oxazolidinones promoted by in situ generated chalcogenolate anions. The developed one-step protocol enabled the preparation of β-selenoamines, β-telluroamines and β-thioamines with appreciable structural diversity and in yields of up to 95%.

Electrochemical oxidative cyclization of alkenes, boronic acids, and dichalcogenides to access chalcogenated boronic esters and 1,3-diols

A sustainable, environmentally benign electrochemical oxidative three-component cyclization of allylic alcohols, boronic acids, and dichalcogenides under metal-free and oxidant-free conditions has been developed.

Oxidative cross-coupling of thiols for S-X (X = S, N, O, P, and C) bond formation: mechanistic aspects

This review focuses on the reactive intermediates (disulfides, sulfenyl halides, thiyl radicals, sulfenium cations, and metal-organosulfur species) and the mechanisms of the recently reported oxidative couplings of thiols. These intermediates are generated by chemical oxidants, transition metal catalysts, electrochemistry, and photochemistry. Chemical oxidant-mediated reactions involve radical, halogenated, or cationic intermediates, or disulfides. Transition metal-catalyzed mechanisms proposed various metal-organosulfur intermediates to elucidate the reactivity and selectivity of metal catalysts. In electro- and photooxidation, direct oxidation/reduction mechanisms of reactants at the electrode or indirect oxidation/reduction of reactants in the presence of redox catalysts have been reported. The following sections are based on the products, thiosulfonates (S-S bond), sulfenamides, sulfinamides, and sulfonamides (S-N bond), sulfinates (S-O bond), thiophosphine oxides and thiophosphates (S-P bond), and sulfides, sulfoxides, and sulfones (S-C bond) and discuss the reaction mechanisms and the above-mentioned key intermediates for product formation. The contents of this review will provide helpful information, guiding the choice of oxidative coupling conditions for the synthesis of various organosulfur compounds with high yields and selectivity.

The serendipitous effect of KF in Ritter reaction: Photo-induced amino-alkylation of alkenes

Ritter reaction has been recognized as an elegant strategy to construct the C−N bond. Its key feature is forming the carbocation for nucleophilic attack by nitriles. Herein, we report a complementary visible-light-induced three-component Ritter reaction of alkenes, nitriles, and α-bromo nitriles/esters, thereby providing mild and rapid access to various γ-amino nitriles/acids. Mechanistic studies indicated that traceless fluoride relay, transforming KF into imidoyl fluoride intermediate, is critical for the efficient reaction switch from atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) to the Ritter reaction. This approach to amino-alkylation of alkenes is chemoselective and operationally simple.

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Using light irradiation to promote amino-alkylation of alkenes

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Using KF to facilitate three-component Ritter reaction

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Access functionalized amides under mild conditions

Selective oxidative intermolecular carbosulphenylation of aryl alkenes with thiols and nucleophiles via a 1,2-dithioethane intermediate

A periodate lithium-oxidized difunctionalisation of aryl alkenes with thiols and electron-rich aromatics was achieved, selectively affording more than thirty carbosulphenylated products. Both experiments and quantum chemical calculations demonstrated the radical-polar nature of the processes, and that 1,2-dithioethane and thiiranium ions might play the role of intermediates.

Carbon-Sulfur Bond Constructions: From Transition-Metal Catalysis to Sustainable Catalysis

The recent decade evidenced a significant development in the construction of the C-S bond. The journey began with transitional-metal catalysis and reached sustainable catalysis via oxidant, photo, and electro catalyzed methods. A variety of catalytic systems have been explored for the C-S bond formation using a variety of sulfur precursors. This personal account provides an inclusive discussion of these developed methods in terms of reactivity, sustainability and productivity.

Metal free C-3 chalcogenation (sulfenylation and selenylation) of 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-ones

An expeditious metal free C-3 chalcogenation of 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one has been devised to synthesize diversely orchestrated 3-ArS/ArSe derivatives in high yields (up to 95%). This operationally simple reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions, can be executed in gram scale, and also highlights broad functional group tolerance. Preliminary experimental investigation suggests a radical mechanistic pathway for these transformations.

Organo-redox-catalysis for the difunctionalization of alkenes and oxidative Ritter reactions by C–H functionalization

Roll over transition metals-triarylamines are redox-catalysts, enabling olefin difunctionalization and C–H functionalization reactions by activating benzoyl peroxide.

Recent advances of Ritter reaction and its synthetic applications

This review provides a comprehensive survey of Ritter reactions from 2014 to 2020.

Diamine-mediated N2-selective β-selenoalkylation of triazoles with alkenes

A N2-selective β-selenoalkylation of 1,2,3-triazoles with alkenes mediated by diamines has been developed. The reaction proceeds presumably via the interaction of diamines with both the triazole moiety and selenium/alkene complex to construct a U-shaped reaction intermediate. This activation mode will block the N1 position on triazoles and thus favor the N2-selective selenoamination. This stereospecific anti-addition method enables an efficient N2-selective β-selenoalkylation of 1,2,3-triazoles under mild and open-air conditions and might find applications in the synthesis of biologically active molecules.

Acid promoted radical-chain difunctionalization of styrenes with stabilized radicals and (N,O)-nucleophiles

A radical chain difunctionalization of styrenes does not require a catalyst, but activation of benzoyl peroxide by a strong acid.

Copper-Catalyzed Regioselective Aminothiolation of Aromatic and Aliphatic Alkenes with N-Fluorobenzenesulfonimide and Thiols through Three-Component Radical Coupling

Copper-catalyzed regioselective aminothiolation of terminal and internal alkenes with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide and thiols has been developed. The three-component reaction is promoted by the addition of dimethyl sulfide. In addition to aromatic alkenes, aliphatic alkenes are subjected to the reaction, affording various aminothiolation adducts as single regioisomers. The radical process is proposed by preliminary mechanistic studies, involving radical trap and radical clock experiments.

Metal-free regioselective direct thiolation of 2-pyridones

A highly regioselective metal-free direct C-H thiolation of 2-pyridones with disulfides or thiols has been developed. A combination of persulfate and a commercially available halide source such as LiCl, NCS or I₂ enables the successful direct incorporation of a sulfide moiety into the 5-position of pyridone under mild conditions, providing a useful and convenient approach for the preparation of a diverse array of 5-thio-substituted pyridones in moderate to excellent yields.

Catalytic Regio- and Stereoselective Alkene Sulfenoamination for 1,4-Benzothiazine Synthesis

An alkene sulfenoamination reaction with 2-aminothiophenol is developed using iodide catalysis. This reaction renders access to useful 1,4-benzothiazines with good functional group compatibility including both electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents. The reaction is proposed to proceed through an inversion of the polarity of the thiol functionality. Our mechanistic studies reveal that both thiiranium and thiyl radical pathways are plausible and that the disulfide reagent can also function as a viable substrate in this reaction.

Metal-Free Oxidative Thioesterification of Methyl Ketones with Thiols/Disulfides for the Synthesis of α-Ketothioesters

A direct C_sp3-H bond oxidative thioesterification of methyl ketones with aromatic thiols/disulfides promoted by TBAI/K₂S₂O₈ has been developed. The reaction provides successfully a simple and efficient method for the synthesis of functionalized α-ketothioesters of aromatic thiols. This practical methodology exhibits readily available starting materials, large-scale applicability, synthetic application, and broad functional group tolerance. A possible mechanism for the transformation is proposed.

FeCl3-Catalyzed Regio-Divergent Carbosulfenylation of Unactivated Alkenes: Construction of a Medium-Sized Ring

A FeCl₃-catalyzed regio-divergent carbosulfenylation of unactivated alkenes with electrophilic N-sulfenophthalimides has been developed. This protocol provides a straightforward and efficient access to various medium-sized rings, especially strained 7- and 8-membered carborings with a sulfur atom attached. The endo/exo selectivity in the reaction depends on the atom number of the chain between arene and alkene. Broad substrate scope, high yields, and gram-scale synthesis exemplified the utility and practicability of this protocol. In addition, this methodology can be extended to the carboselenylation of isolated alkenes.

Engineered C-S Bond Construction

Due to the versatile applications of thioethers and thioesters in organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, the pharmaceutical industry, and materials science, recently the construction of C-S bonds has emerged as the forefront in the field of cross-coupling reactions. Enough progress has been made in this direction by using both metal catalysis and other alternative processes. A brief review of the recent developments in the area of C-S coupling reaction is described.

A novel metal-free amidosulfenylation of alkenes leading to β-azolyl sulfides

A novel and environmentally benign method for C-S and C-N bond formation by the direct amidosulfenylation of alkenes has been developed under metal-free conditions. Various alkenes and azoles were transformed into the corresponding β-azolyl sulfides in ionic liquids. The wide substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, and ease of operation make this reaction attractive for the synthesis of nitrogen- and sulfur-containing molecules.

Hydrochloric Acid-Promoted Intermolecular 1,2-Thiofunctionalization of Aromatic Alkenes

An efficient method for making 1,2-thiofunctionalized products via the difunctionalization of aromatic alkenes was developed. In this method, cheap and readily available hydrochloric acid was used to promote 1,2-thiofunctionalization of aryl alkenes with N-arylsulfenylphthalimide and different types of nucleophiles. Importantly, extension of nucleophiles can reach aryl ethers, indoles, and carboxylic acids with good reactivity. This practical and convenient method has broad substrate scope and high yields under metal-free and mild conditions. Furthermore, we achieved conversion and application for making sulfoxide and sulfone by oxidation.

Three-component difunctionalization of alkenes leading to β-acetamido sulfides and β-acetoxy sulfides

A novel method for the synthesis of β-acetamido sulfides via NBS-mediated aminosulfenylation of alkenes with thiophenols and nitriles under metal-free conditions has been described. And β-acetamido sulfides were also synthesized with 1-(arylthio)pyrrolidine-2,5-diones as substrates and HBr as an additive. On the other hand, iodine-catalyzed 1,2-acetoxysulfenylation of alkenes by using (diacetoxyiodo)benzene as an oxygen source to synthesise various β-acetoxy sulfides was described as well.

Acid-catalyzed oxidative cleavage of S–S and Se–Se bonds with DEAD: efficient access to sulfides and selenides

An acid/DEAD system for oxidative cleavage of S–S and Se–Se bonds to generate chalcogenium ions has been developed. These ions could be captured by nucleophile-tethered alkenes and nucleophilic aryl reagents such as arylboronic acids and arenes to give chalcogenides.

Generation of sulfonated 1-isoindolinones through a multicomponent reaction with the insertion of sulfur dioxide

A four-component reaction of 2-vinylbenzoic acids, aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates, sulfur dioxide, and nitriles under photocatalysis in the presence of visible light is developed, leading to sulfonated 1-isoindolinones in moderate to good yields.