Nonbasic Synthesis of Thioethers via Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Thiolation Utilizing NBS-Like N -Thioimides as Electrophilic Sulfur Donors.

The nonbasic synthesis of unsymmetrical thioethers via nickel-catalyzed reductive thiolation between aryl(hetero) iodides and N -thioimides is illustrated. N -Bromosuccinimide (NBS)-like N -thioimides were found quite reactive toward thiolation with carbon electrophiles, and a series of structurally varied thioethers were successfully prepared under mild reaction conditions. The transformation was featured with the new application of the NBS-like reagents, good functional group tolerance, and late-stage modification of biologically active scaffolds, thus providing an expeditious and efficient platform to construct polyfunctional thioethers.