Copper-catalyzed synthesis of β-haloalkenyl chalcogenides by addition of dichalcogenides to internal alkynes and its application to synthesis of (Z)-tamoxifen

A copper-catalyzed synthesis of β-haloalkenyl sulfides or selenides was carried out by addition of dichalcogenides and tetrabutylammonium halides to internal alkynes. The present reaction anti- and regio-selectively afforded the corresponding alkenyl chalocogenides, and took advantage of both organochalcogenide-groups on dichalcogenide. Furthermore, the reaction under oxygen atmosphere could employ thiols. The use of the procedure could easily synthesize (Z)-tamoxifen from diphenyl acetylene in three steps.