Simultaneous Preparation of Sulfides/Selenides and Sulfones via Synergistic Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling and S N 2 Reaction.

Sulfone compounds and thioether compounds are two highly valuable classes of compounds, but it is challenging to prepare sulfone and thioether compounds simultaneously and efficiently. Here we report that sulfides/selenides and sulfones can be obtained simultaneously using allyl bromide/benzyl bromide-activated alkyl bromides and thiosulfonates/selenosulfonates using a nickel-catalyzed reductive coupling and S N 2 synergistic strategy, which is characterized by excellent atom and step economy, mild reaction conditions, broad functional group compatibility, and excellent yields.