A method for the reductive scission of heterocyclic thioethers

A mild, chemoselective, and generally high-yielding method for the reductive scission of heterocyclic thioethers is described. Suitable heterocycles have a thioether substituent at the 2-position relative to a ring heteroatom. The convenient and straightforward method is demonstrated with reactants which are not compatible with the standard Raney nickel conditions such as sulfides, sulfones, and thiophenes. In addition, benzyl esters, benzyl amides, and benzyl carbamates are tolerated by the reductive reaction conditions.

Synthesis of 3-trifluoromethylbenzo[b]furans from phenols via direct ortho functionalization by extended Pummerer reaction

A concise and diversity-oriented route to trifluoromethylbenzo[b]furans has been devised. A variety of phenols are directly converted to the corresponding 2-methylthio-3-trifluoromethylbenzo[b]furans by new triflic-anhydride-mediated extended Pummerer annulation reactions with trifluoromethylketene dithioacetal monoxide. The methylthio group of the products undergoes further transformations, which increase the diversity of available trifluoromethylbenzo[b]furans.