Copper(I) iodide catalyzes odorless thioarylation of phenolic esters with alkyl derivatives using thiourea in wet polyethylene glycol (PEG 200)

In this study, we have presented a useful catalytic application of copper(I) iodide for one pot odor-free generation of unsymmetrical aryl alkyl thioethers. The process proceeds by the reaction of phenolic esters such as acetates, triflates, tosylates and phosphonates with benzyl, n-octyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, n-hexyl and n-butyl iodides, bromides, chlorides and tosylates in wet polyethylene glycol (PEG 200) by using thiourea as the sulfur source under homogeneous conditions. The method is applicable for the gram-scale preparation of the desired alkyl aryl thioethers. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.