Fe–Cu catalyzed synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical diaryl thioethers using 1,3-benzoxazole-2-thiol as a sulfur surrogate

Abstract

An efficient Fe–Cu catalyzed approach is herein developed using 1,3-benzoxazole-2-thiol as a thiol surrogate for the synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical diaryl thioethers. This method provides an odorless and inexpensive strategy which can be applied to various aryl and nitrogen containing aryl halides in moderate to excellent yields up to 90%.