Regiodivergent radical oxidative coupling of vinyl ethers with dithiane by copper or iron catalysis

Abstract

We disclose a facile, direct, and regiospecific coupling of variously substituted vinyl ethers with dithiane to yield a variety of α-dithianyl aldehydes in good to excellent yields via a copper catalyzed radical process. The procedure is no need for pre-functionalization and is under mild conditions. Additionally, the direct dithioacetalization of vinyl ethers using an iron catalyst for the preparation of 2-substituted dithiane derivatives is also reported.