Metal-Free C-S Bond Formation in Elemental Sulfur and Cyclobutanol Derivatives: The Synthesis of Substituted Thiophenes

A general approach for the metal-free synthesis of thiophenes by tert-cyclobutanols and elemental sulfur has been developed. This protocol provides a strategy for constructing multisubstituted thiophene derivatives via C-S bond formation under air. This reaction shows good functionality tolerance under the reaction conditions, and the mechanism is validated by control experiments and density functional theory calculations.

Automated summary

A general approach for metal-free synthesis of thiophenes has been developed using tert-cyclobutanols and elemental sulfur. This method provides a strategy for constructing multisubstituted thiophene derivatives through C-S bond formation under air. The reaction shows good functionality tolerance under the reaction conditions and the mechanism has been validated through control experiments and density functional theory calculations.