Palladium-catalyzed direct C–H thiolation of 2-pyridyl sulfoxide with disulfides

Abstract

Palladium-catalyzed C–H thiolation of aryl 2-pyridyl sulfoxide with diaryl disulfides has been achieved. The reaction proceeds selectively at the ortho-position of masked thiophenol. The directing group 2-pyridyl sulfoxide can be further converted to various sulfur functionalities through conventional reduction/oxidation processes. Kinetic isotopic studies and radical quenching experiments were performed to understand the reaction mechanism.