Arylsulfenylation of 4-thiazolidinone with elemental sulfur and aryl halide: Thioether linkage (C–S–C)

Abstract

The generation of carbon–sulfur (C–S) bonds is a crucial step in the quest to create valuable organic entities due to their widespread applications in various biological systems. Alongside, 4-thiazolidinone is considered a highly proficient heterocyclic scaffold, constituting diversified pharmacological properties. It has driven us to develop a one-pot synthesis of thioarylated 4-thiazolidinones with elemental sulfur and aryl halides using copper(I) iodide as catalyst. The method has a broad substrate scope with various substituted aryl halides. Optimization has been carried out through different catalyst loadings, base, temperature and solvent. The reaction is highly efficient and affords thioarylated 4-thiazolidinones in good yields with broad functional group tolerance.