Synthesis of vinyl sulfides under base-free conditions using selenium ionic liquid

A very simple procedure is described for the efficient synthesis of vinyl sulfides by hydrothiolation of terminal alkynes using 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methylselenite, [bmim][SeO2(OCH3)]. The reaction proceeds cleanly under mild, base-free conditions and was performed with aromatic and aliphatic thiols. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.