Thioetherification of Aryl Halides with Thioacetates

Abstract

A palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of thioacetates and aryl halides is described herein. Using a catalyst screening kit, ^tBuBrettPhos Pd G3 was found to be a unique catalyst for this reaction, affording the desired thioarene products in high yields under mild reaction conditions. The thioacetate starting materials are readily available, allowing for quick access to these more lab friendly reagents. Reactions described herein range from the late-stage coupling of complex thioacetates to the first report of a mild set of conditions for thiomethylation of aryl halides.