Nickel-Mediated Inter- and Intramolecular C-S Coupling of Thiols and Thioacetates with Aryl Iodides at Room Temperature

A Ni(0)-catalyzed intermolecular cross-coupling of various functionalized thiols and aryl Iodides has been developed and successfully extended to less explored intramolecular versions, where thioacetates could also be utilized as the strategic surrogate. Air-stable precatalysts, very mild conditions, and an easy protocol allow rapid access to medicinally useful aryl thioethers, as demonstrated in the facile synthesis of (+/-)-chuangxinmycin as a key step.