Ionic Liquids for Fast and Solvent-Free Nucleophilic Trifluoromethylthiolation of Alkyl Halides and Alcohols

The trifluoromethylthio group is of rising interest in medicinal, agrochemical, and materials chemistry. Although several strategies for the introduction of this functional group have been described, new synthetic methods are needed. A novel ionic liquid, 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethylthiolate, has been developed and is herein reported as an efficient and recyclable in situ generated trifluoromethylthiolating reagent for alkyl halides, sulfonates, and even unactivated alcohols under solvent-free conditions.