Abstract

A transition-metal-free hydrothiolation of 1,3-dienes for the synthesis of secondary and tertiary allylic sulfides is reported. The boron Lewis acids tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, B(C6F5)3, and BF3·Et2O are shown to catalyze the regioselective hydrothiolation of a wide range of terminal 1-aryl-1,3-dienes. In the case of internal 1,3-dienes, B(C6F5)3 is by far the better catalyst than BF3·Et2O. The process features mild reaction conditions, broad scope, and low catalyst loading, and it can be scaled up quickly over a short reaction time. The reactions are rate-limited by the 1-aryl-directed protonation of 1,3-dienes with thiol-boron Lewis acid complexes, followed by sulfide anion transfer to the resultant allyl cations, as revealed by high-level DFT calculations.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.