Cu(I)-catalyzed aerobic cross-dehydrogenative coupling of terminal alkynes with thiols for the construction of alkynyl sulfides

Highly active and selective aerobic cross-dehydrogenative coupling of terminal alkynes with thiols to construct alkynyl sulfides catalyzed by Cu(I) using molecular oxygen as the oxidant has been demonstrated under mild reaction conditions. The process is applicable to a wide range of alkynes and various thiols and is compatible with a variety of functional groups on both alkyne and thiol coupling partners.