Dithiooxamide as an Effective Sulfur Surrogate for Odorless High-Yielding Carbon-Sulfur Bond Formation in Wet PEG200 as an Eco-Friendly, Safe, and Recoverable Solvent

In this study, we have employed dithiooxamide, a solid, odorless, and commercially available compound, as a sulfur surrogate for the preparation of dialkyl sulfides from available alkyl halides in high yields. This sulfur transfer agent was also used for a copper-catalyzed high-yielding preparation of diaryl sulfides from their available aryl halides and for the preparation of thia-Michael adducts in high yields. All the reactions were performed under odorless conditions in wet PEG200 (PEG = polyethylene glycol), which is an ecofriendly, safe, and recoverable solvent. The protocols were easily applicable to large-scale operation.