Iodine-triphenylphosphine mediated sulfenylation of imidazoheterocycles with sodium sulfinates

An efficient approach to sulfenyl imidazoheterocycles has been developed via iodine-triphenylphosphine mediated direct sulfenylation of imidazoheterocycles with sodium sulfinates. The reactions proceed smoothly under transition-metal-free conditions with a broad range of substrate scope, giving the desired products in moderate to excellent yields.