Microwave-assisted simple and efficient ligand free copper nanoparticle catalyzed aryl-sulfur bond formation

A new protocol for the coupling of aryl iodides with thiophenols and alkanethiols catalyzed by copper nanoparticles under ligand-free condition has been developed. A variety of functionalized aryl sulfides are prepared in excellent yields under microwave irradiation for 5-7 min. A plausible radical mechanism has been suggested.