Efficient synthesis of unsymmetrical diaryl thioethers via TBAF-mediated denitrative substitution of nitroarenes with PhSTMS under mild and neutral conditions

Tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) effectively facilitated a denitrative substitution reaction of electron-deficient nitroarenes with phenylthiotrimethylsilane (PhSTMS) under mild and base-free neutral conditions at room temperature, providing a practical and efficient synthesis of useful unsymmetrical diaryl thioethers. Nitroarenes bearing ortho- and para-positioned electron-withdrawing groups are the most reactive substrates, indicating that this reaction most possibly proceeded via the nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) mechanism.

Graphical abstractTetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) effectively facilitated a denitrative substitution reaction of electron-deficient nitroarenes with phenylthiotrimethylsilane (PhSTMS) under mild and base-free neutral conditions at room temperature, providing a practical and efficient synthesis of the useful unsymmetrical diaryl thioethers. Nitroarenes bearing ortho- and para-positioned electron-withdrawing groups are the most reactive substrates, indicating that this reaction most possibly proceeded via the nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) mechanism.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide