Alkyl Aryl Sulfides Research Articles

Tunable and selective transformation of aromatic thioether enabled by regulating active species under visible light irradiation

Through effective regulation of active species in photocatalytic process, the oxidation or C(sp3)‐S bond cleavage upgrading of widespread aryl alkyl sulfides under mild conditions was successfully achieved by using a pyridinium photocatalyst. Benefiting from the excellent redox ability of the photocatalyst, the electron transfer between the pyridinium molecule and the substrate, molecular oxygen, or counter‐anion effectively promotes the conversion and upgrading of the substrate thioether. Among them, the efficient generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) enables the highly selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides under visible light and air atmosphere. More importantly, the chlorine radical (Cl•) generated by electron transfer, reported for the first time, contributes to the cleavage of C(sp3)‐S bonds, achieving the transformation of aryl alkyl sulfides to disulfides. By harnessing the superior photocatalytic ability of pyridinium molecules, this work not only achieves the highly selective conversion of thioether by taming the active species in the photocatalytic process, but also sheds light on the untapped potential of chlorine radicals in the field of C(sp3)‐S bond activation and cleavage.

Iron-Catalyzed Asymmetric Imidation of Sulfides via Sterically Biased Nitrene Transfer.

Transition-metal-catalyzed enantioselective nitrene transfer to sulfides has emerged as one of the most powerful strategies for rapid construction of enantioenriched sulfimides. However, achieving stereocontrol over highly active earth-abundant transition-metal nitrenoid intermediates remains a formidable challenge compared with precious metals. Herein, we disclose a chiral iron(II)/N,N'-dioxide-catalyzed enantioselective imidation of dialkyl and alkyl aryl sulfides using iminoiodinanes as nitrene precursors. A series of chiral sulfimides were obtained in moderate-to-good yields with high enantioselectivities (56 examples, up to 99% yield, 98:2 e.r.). The utility of this methodology was demonstrated by late-stage modification of complex molecules and synthesis of the chiral insecticide sulfoxaflor and the intermediates of related bioactive compounds. Based on experimental studies and theoretical calculations, a water-bonded high-spin iron nitrenoid species was identified as the key intermediate. The observed stereoselectivity was original from the steric repulsion between the amide unit of the ligand in the chiral cave and the bulky substituent of sulfides. Additionally, dioxazolones proved to be suitable acylnitrene precursors in the presence of an iron(III)/N,N'-dioxide complex, resulting in the formation of enantioselectivity-reversed sulfimides (14 examples, up to 81% yield, 97:3 e.r.).

Generation of benzyne from aryl benziodoxaborole triflate under aqueous conditions and its reactions with alkyl aryl sulfides

Generation of benzyne from aryl benziodoxaborole triflate under aqueous conditions and its reactions with alkyl aryl sulfides

Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of 5-mercapto(substitutedthio)-4-substituted-1,2,4-triazol based on nalidixic acid: A comprehensive study on its synthesis, characterization, and In silico evaluation

This study introduces a series of novel Alkyl thio-1,2,4-triazole (4a-p) and mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (3a-d) compounds derived from nalidixic acid. The synthesis was streamlined, involving interactions between nalidixic acid hydrazide and various isothiocyanates to yield cyclic and alkyl(aryl) sulfide compounds, characterized using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, and elemental analysis. Antioxidant capabilities were quantified through DPPH and ABTS assays, highlighting significant potential, especially for compound 3d, which demonstrated an ABTS IC50 value of 0.397 μM, on par with ascorbic acid (IC50 = 0.87 μM). Antibacterial efficacy was established through MIC assessments against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Candida albicans. Compounds 3b, 4e, 4h, 4j, 4i, 4m, and 4o showed broad-spectrum activity, with 4k and 4m exhibiting pronounced potency against E. coli. Molecular docking studies validated the antibacterial potential, with compounds 4f and 4h showing high binding affinities (docking scores of −9.8 and −9.6 kcal/mol, respectively), indicating robust interactions with the bacterial enzyme targets. These scores underscore the compounds' mechanistic basis for their antibacterial action and support their therapeutic promise. Furthermore, compounds 3b, 4i, and 4m, identified through drug-likeness and toxicity predictions, were highlighted for their favorable profiles, suggesting their suitability for oral antibiotic therapies. This comprehensive study, blending synthetic, in vitro, and in silico approaches, emphasizes the triazole derivatives' potential as future candidates for antibiotic and antioxidant applications, particularly spotlighting compounds 3b, 4i, and 4m due to their promising efficacy and safety profiles.

Phosphonate-substituted porphyrins as efficient, cost-effective and reusable photocatalysts.

Recent advances in visible light photocatalysis represent a significant stride towards sustainable catalytic chemistry. However, its successful implementation in fine chemical production remains challenging and requires careful optimization of available photocatalysts. Our work aims to structurally modify bioinspired porphyrin catalysts, addressing issues related to their laborious synthesis and low solubility, with the goal of increasing their efficiency and developing reusable catalytic systems. We have demonstrated the catalytic potential of readily available meso-tetrakis[4-(diethoxyphosphoryl)phenyl]porphyrins (M(TPPP)). Novel metal (Pd(II), Co(II) and In(III)) complexes with this ligand were prepared in good yields. These chromophores were characterized in solution using spectroscopic (NMR, UV-vis, fluorescence) and electrochemical methods. The introduction of phosphonate groups on the phenyl substituents of meso-tetraphenylporphyrins (M(TPP)) improves solubility in polar organic solvents without significantly altering the photophysical properties and photostability of complexes. This structural modification also leads to easier reductions and harder oxidations of the macrocycle for all investigated complexes compared to the corresponding TPP derivatives. The free base porphyrin, zinc(II), palladium(II), and indium(III) complexes were studied as photocatalysts for oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides using molecular oxygen as a terminal oxidant. Both dialkyl and alkyl aryl sulfides were quantitatively transformed into sulfoxides under blue LED irradiation in the acetonitrile-water mixture (10 : 1 v/v) with a low loading (0.005-0.05 mol%) of porphyrin photocatalysts, where H2(TPPP) and Pd(TPPP) were found to be the most efficient. The reaction mechanism was studied using photoluminescence and EPR spectroscopies. Then, to access reusable catalysts, water-soluble derivatives bearing phosphonic acid groups, H2(TPPP-A) and Pd(TPPP-A), were prepared in high yields. These compounds were characterized using spectroscopic methods. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of Pd(TPPP-A) reveals that the complex forms a 3D hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF) in the solid state. Both H2(TPPP-A) and Pd(TPPP-A) were found to catalyze the photooxidation of sulfides by molecular oxygen in the acetonitrile-water mixture (1 : 1 v/v), while only Pd(TPPP-A) resulted in selective production of sulfoxides. The complex Pd(TPPP-A) was easily recovered through extraction in the aqueous phase and successfully reused in five consecutive cycles of the sulfoxidation reaction.

Thioethers as Dichotomous Electrophiles for Site-Selective Silylation via C-S Bond Cleavage.

The development of aryl alkyl sulfides as dichotomous electrophiles for site-selective silylation via C-S bond cleavage has been achieved. Iron-catalyzed selective cleavage of C(aryl)-S bonds can occur in the presence of β-diketimine ligands, and the cleavage of C(alkyl)-S bonds can be achieved by t-BuONa without the use of transition metals, resulting in the corresponding silylated products in moderate to excellent yields. Mechanistic studies suggest that Fe-Si species may undergo metathesis reactions during the cleavage of C(aryl)-S bonds, while silyl radicals are involved during the cleavage of C(alkyl)-S bonds.

Thioethers as Dichotomous Electrophiles for Site‐Selective Silylation via C−S Bond Cleavage

AbstractThe development of aryl alkyl sulfides as dichotomous electrophiles for site‐selective silylation via C−S bond cleavage has been achieved. Iron‐catalyzed selective cleavage of C(aryl)−S bonds can occur in the presence of β‐diketimine ligands, and the cleavage of C(alkyl)−S bonds can be achieved by t‐BuONa without the use of transition metals, resulting in the corresponding silylated products in moderate to excellent yields. Mechanistic studies suggest that Fe−Si species may undergo metathesis reactions during the cleavage of C(aryl)−S bonds, while silyl radicals are involved during the cleavage of C(alkyl)−S bonds.

Enantiodivergent Sulfoxidation Catalyzed by a Photoswitchable Iron Salen Phosphate Complex.

Here we describe a photoswitchable iron(III) salen phosphate catalyst, which is able to catalyze the enantiodivergent oxidation of prochiral aryl alkyl sulfides to chiral aryl alkyl sulfoxides. The stable (S)-axial isomer of the catalyst produced enantioenriched sulfoxides with the (R)-configuration in up to 75 % e.e., whereas the photoisomerized metastable (R)-axial isomer of the catalyst favored the formation of (S)-sulfoxides in up to 43 % e.e. The maximum Δe.e. value obtained in the enantiodivergent sulfoxidation was 118 %, which is identical to the maximum Δe.e. value that was measured in the enantiodivergent epoxidation of alkenes by a related recently described Mn1 catalyst. This iron-based catalyst broadens the scope of photoswitchable enantiodivergent catalysts and may be used in the future to develop a photoswitchable catalytic system that can write digital information on a polymer chain in the form chiral sulfoxide functions.

Oxidations of aromatic sulfides promoted by the phthalimide N-oxyl radical (PINO)

The oxidation of a series of alkyl aryl sulfides promoted by the phthalimide N-oxyl radical (PINO) has been investigated by kinetic and product analysis. Sulfoxides are formed as major reaction products in the oxidation of thioanisoles and benzyl phenyl sulfides. The observation of fragmentation products in the oxidation of 2-phenyl-2-propyl phenyl sulfide and diphenylmethyl phenyl sulfide indicates that the reaction involves an initial electron transfer reaction from the sulfide to PINO with the formation of aryl sulfide radical cations and the anion PINO-. Combination of the species then leads to a radical adduct precursor of sulfoxides while the rapid C–S cleavage occurs with aryl sulfide radical cations that can form the stable 2-phenyl-2-propyl or diphenylmethyl carbocation.

Asymmetric synthesis of sulfoxides by novel Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase from Fusarium

In the chemical industry, the oxidation reaction is one of the essential reactions, although some oxidizing reagents are potentially explosive. Hence, the safe reaction catalyzed by monooxygenases, enzymes that can catalyze oxidation reactions using molecular oxygen in the air, becomes an attractive alternative as it promotes green and sustainable chemistry. Herein, sulfoxidation of alkyl aryl sulfides by a novel Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase from a fungus, Fusarium sp. NBRC 109816 (FBVMO), was investigated. The effect of organic cosolvents was also examined using purified FBVMO, improving the activity by up to 247%. E. coli whole cell expressing FBVMO was used for the synthetic purpose, and various chiral sulfoxides were obtained successfully in up to 92% isolated yield and up to 99% ee (R).

Sulphoxidation reactions catalysed by the Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase OTEMO from Pseudomonas putida ATCC 17453

The Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase OTEMO from Pseudomonas putida ATCC 17453 has been employed as biocatalyst in the asymmetric synthesis of a set of optically active sulphoxides. Several alkyl aryl sulphides are oxidized by this biocatalyst leading to the (S)-sulphoxides. Especially for those substrates containing electron-donating groups in the aromatic ring or in the alkyl moiety, good to high enantiopurities can be obtained. OTEMO is also able to perform the kinetic resolution of racemic sulphoxides, but with low enantioselectivities. Finally, parameters that can affect its biocatalytic properties, such as pH, temperature, organic cosolvents and substrate concentration, have been tested to get a better insight into the biocatalytic potential of this hitherto poorly explored oxidative biocatalyst.

Production of Alkyl Aryl Sulfides from Aromatic Disulfides and Alkyl Carboxylates via a Disilathiane-Disulfide Interchange Reaction.

The results of this study show that disilathiane is an effective mediator in the synthesis of alkyl aryl sulfides with disulfides and alkyl carboxylates. Mechanistic studies suggest that disilathiane promotes cleavage of the sulfur-sulfur bond of disulfides to generate thiosilane as a key intermediate. Diselenides were also applicable to this transformation to produce the corresponding selenides.

Niobium(V) oxido tris-carbamate as easily available and robust catalytic precursor for the selective sulfide to sulfone oxidation

The oxidation of the sulfide function promoted by a variety of vanadium compounds has been largely explored, whereas the use of homogeneous catalytic systems based on the heavier group 5 metals remains less explored. We report the use of easily available niobium and tantalum carbamates, i.e. [M(O2CNMe2)5] (M = Nb, 1; M = Ta, 2), [Nb(O2CNMe2)4], 3, [NbO(O2CNEt2)3], 4, and [NbCl3(O2CNEt2)2], 5, as effective catalysts for the conversion of a series of alkyl aryl and aromatic sulfides into the corresponding sulfones. NMR investigations on the performant niobium catalyst 4 unexpectedly revealed the substantial stability of this compound in the protic catalytic environment, and a plausible catalytic cycle was obtained by DFT studies. The two active catalytic species, i.e. 4 and its minor mono-methoxide derivative, presumably interconvert to each other exploiting the versatile coordination of the carbamato ligand.

Sulfoxide and Sulfone Synthesis via Electrochemical Oxidation of Sulfides.

The oxidation of diaryl sulfides and aryl alkyl sulfides to the corresponding sulfoxides and sulfones under electrochemical conditions is reported. Sulfoxides are selectively obtained in good yield under a constant current of 5 mA for 10 h in DMF, while sulfones are formed as the major product under a constant current of 10 or 20 mA for 10 h in MeOH. The oxygen of both the sulfoxide and sulfone function is derived from water.

ОКИСНЮВАЛЬНА ДЕСУЛЬФУРИЗАЦІЯ НАФТОПРОДУКТІВ

The modern world market makes stringent requirements for the quality of motor fuels, in particular for sulfur content in them. The main classes of sulfur-containing compounds in petroleum fractions are thiols, dialkyl and cycloalkyl sulfides, alkylaryl sulfides, as well as heteroaromatic compounds – benzothiophene, dibenzothiophene and their alkyl derivatives. They have a negative impact on the quality of petroleum products. Growing demands on the quality of oil and petroleum products have led to the search for ways to reduce the sulfur content in oils and which would not lead to deterioration of physicochemical parameters of oil, such as viscosity, density, acidity, elemental and fractional composition, etc. Among the existing methods of desulfurization of oils and their fractions, special attention is drawn to oxidation methods that allow organic sulfur compounds to be converted into sulfoxides and sulfones which are easily removed by conventional separation methods, in particular by extraction or adsorption. The prospects of the oxidation method are due to the possibility of practical use of sulfoxides and sulfones in various sectors of the economy. The most common oxidants in the processes of oxidative desulfurization of petroleum fractions are hydrogen peroxide and alkylhydroperoxides in combination with catalysts that provide high selectivity and speed of the process. Transition metal compounds (Mo, V, W,) are most often used as catalysts because they are able to form peroxocomplexes in the presence of peroxides. Heterogeneous catalytic systems consisting of various solid carriers (salts, oxides, activated carbon, zeolites) and peroxide oxidants (hydrogen peroxide or alkyl hydroperoxides) are actively developing. Molybdenum-containing catalysts are one of the most efficient heterogeneous systems for oxidative desulfurization of diesel fuel. There is proved the effectiveness of oxidative desulfurization, which is a combination of catalytic oxidation of sulfur-containing compounds in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst and adsorption on activated carbon. Methods of oxidative desulfurization with their advantages and disadvantages can be logical addition to large-tonnage hydrotreating processes, and also potentially can be used as an independent method of deep purification of oil and petroleum products from sulfur-containing compounds.

Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Thiolation of Unactivated Alkyl Bromides and Arenesulfonyl Cyanides.

The cross-electrophile coupling between unactivated alkyl bromides with arenesulfonyl cyanides catalyzed by Ni(acac)2 under reductive conditions to form unsymmetrical sulfides is developed. This approach for sulfide synthesis is practical, relies on available, unfunctionalized materials such as alkyl (pseudo)halides, and is scalable. This catalytic strategy provides a complementary method for the preparation of unsymmetrical alkyl-aryl sulfides under mild conditions with good functional group tolerance.

Nickel(II)‐Mediated C−S Cross‐Coupling Between Thiols and ortho‐Substituted Arylboronic Acid

AbstractHerein, we report a C−S cross‐coupling reaction between alkyl thiols or aryl thiols and ortho‐substituted arylboronic acids that proceeds in the presence of an inexpensive and ligand‐free NiCl2 ⋅ 6H2O salt and N‐methylmorpholine, a weak base, at 25 °C in air. The presence of coordinating and electron‐withdrawing groups at the ortho‐position of the arylboronic acids played a crucial role in determining the efficiency of the reaction. X‐ray crystallographic analysis revealed that the [NiCl2(DMF)2(H2O)2] complex was formed in‐situ. The complex is an excellent precursor of the active nickel species. The reaction offers an extremely mild and operationally convenient method to access a wide variety of alkyl aryl sulfides and diaryl sulfides without using expensive transition metals, such as palladium, gold, and rhodium, and specialized and expensive ligands.

Transition-metal-free decarboxylative thiolation of stable aliphatic carboxylates.

A transition-metal-free decarboxylative thiolation protocol is reported in which primary, secondary, tertiary (hetero)aryl acetates and α-CN substituted acetates undergo the decarboxylative thiolation smoothly, to deliver a variety of functionalized aryl alkyl sulfides in moderate to excellent yields. Aryl diselenides are also amenable substrates for construction of C–Se bonds under the simple and mild reaction conditions. Moreover, the protocol is successfully applied to the late-stage modification of pharmaceutical carboxylates with satisfactory chemoselectivity and functional-group compatibility.

Asymmetric oxidation of sulfides catalyzed by (R)-6,6'-dibromo-BINOL derived titanium complex

An efficient asymmetric oxidation of sulfides was achieved using (R)-6,6'-dibromo-BINOL as chiral ligand in combination with Ti(OiPr)4 using 70% aqueous tertiary butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant. The resulting sulfoxides had high enantiopurities and good yields. A range of aryl alkyl and aryl benzyl sulfides were oxidized to the corresponding sulfoxides with 78–95% ee in 72–80% yields.

Continuous Bioinspired Oxidation of Sulfides.

A simple, efficient, and selective oxidation under flow conditions of sulfides into their corresponding sulfoxides and sulfones is reported herein, using as a catalyst perselenic acid generated in situ by the oxidation of selenium (IV) oxide in a diluted aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide as the final oxidant. The scope of the proposed methodology was investigated using aryl alkyl sulfides, aryl vinyl sulfides, and dialkyl sulfides as substrates, evidencing, in general, a good applicability. The scaled-up synthesis of (methylsulfonyl)benzene was also demonstrated, leading to its gram-scale preparation.