Regioselective Cleavage and Reconfiguration of C-S Bonds with Diazo Compounds.

A coupling reaction between diazo compounds and phenyl benzyl sulfide catalyzed by TfOH has been reported. This reaction can synthesize important α-arylthio carbonyl compounds via regioselective cleavage and reconfiguration of C-S bonds, and various functional groups were tolerant to the reaction conditions. Mechanistic studies have conclusively established that the pivotal intermediate in the reaction was meticulously investigated through spectroscopic evidence, complemented by rigorous control experiments.