Microwave-Assisted Cross-Coupling for the Construction of Diaryl Sulfides

The construction of diaryl sulfides through the cross-coupling of aryl iodides and thiols in microwave heating is described. By using this method, a variety of diaryl sulfides can be prepared in a mild condition and in high yields. Deactivated 4-nitrothiophenol was effective to afford the product in 94% yield. Sterically hindered ortho-substituted aryl iodides or thiophenols provided diaryl sulfides effectively by this microwave-assisted coupling reaction.