Copper(I) iodide catalyzes odorless thioarylation of phenolic esters with alkyl derivatives using thiourea in wet polyethylene glycol (PEG 200)

•One-pot odorless thioarylation of alkyl substrates using thiourea as the sulfur surrogate is achieved.•The reactions are performed in polyethylene glycol (PEG200) as an eco-friendly media.•The protocol is applicable for scaled-up reactions.•The desired aryl alkyl sulfides are produced in good to excellent yields.

In this study, we have presented a useful catalytic application of copper(I) iodide for one pot odor-free generation of unsymmetrical aryl alkyl thioethers. The process proceeds by the reaction of phenolic esters such as acetates, triflates, tosylates and phosphonates with benzyl, n-octyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, n-hexyl and n-butyl iodides, bromides, chlorides and tosylates in wet polyethylene glycol (PEG 200) by using thiourea as the sulfur source under homogeneous conditions. The method is applicable for the gram-scale preparation of the desired alkyl aryl thioethers.

Graphical abstractCatalytic application of copper(I) iodide for one pot odor-free generation of unsymmetrical aryl alkyl thioethers by the reaction of phenolic esters with halides and tosylates in wet polyethylene glycol has been studied.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (125 K)Download as PowerPoint slide