Pd-catalyzed reductive cleavage of alkyl aryl sulfides with triethylsilane that is accelerated by trialkylsilyl chloride

The palladium-catalyzed reductive cleavage of alkyl aryl sulfides to afford the corresponding arenes in high yield, which is both accelerated and exhibits increased functional group selectivity in the presence of TMSCI, is described. This ligand-free reaction features mild conditions, easy operation, use of readily available reagents, and high functional group selectivity. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.