One-Pot Synthesis of 2,3,5-Trisubstituted Thiophenes through Three-Component Assembly of Arylacetaldehydes, Elemental Sulfur, and 1,3-Dicarbonyls

Iodine-catalyzed three-component annulation: access to highly fluorescent trisubstituted thiophenes

An efficient synthesis of highly fluorescent trisubstituted thiophenes was achieved via iodine-catalyzed, base-promoted annulation employing elemental sulfur as a sulfur source. The compounds exhibit excellent photophysical properties like solid-state fluorescence, high quantum yield and solvatochromism. As these thiophene derivatives have potential application in the development of optoelectronic devices, gram-scale synthesis of the desired heterocycles was demonstrated.

Gold self-relay catalysis enabling annulative oxygenation of propargylic alcohols with O-nucleophiles

A new gold(I) self-relay catalysis reaction enabling the annulative oxygenation of propargylic alcohols with various O-nucleophiles, such as carboxylic acids, alcohols and TBHP, is reported, producing a series of functionalized benzofurans in moderate to good yields under mild conditions. This protocol benefits from the π- and σ-Lewis acid capability of gold complexes, demonstrating high molecular convergence, broad substrate flexibility, high functional group compatibility and mild conditions.

Reaction of 1-acetonaphthones with anilines and elemental sulfur: rapid construction of 1-anilinonaphtho[2,1-b]thiophenes

1-Anilinonaphtho[2,1-b]thiophenes could be conveniently synthesized from a three-component reaction of 1-acetonaphthones with anilines and elemental sulfur under catalyst-free simple heating conditions.

Regio- and Chemoselective Access to Dihydrothiophenes and Thiophenes via Halogenation/Intramolecular C(sp2)-H Thienation of α-Allyl Dithioesters at Room Temperature

An operationally simple, practical, and efficient cascade approach employing α-allyl dithioesters and NBS/NIS has been achieved to access a series of dihydrothiophenes and thiophenes containing diverse functional groups of different electronic and steric natures in good to excellent yields at room temperature in open air. The reaction proceeds via the electrophilic addition of a halogen source (NBS/NIS) to an allylic double bond, followed by intramolecular regio- and chemoselective S-cyclization. This protocol avoids potential toxicity and tedious work-up conditions, and features easy synthesis from readily available starting materials under catalyst-free conditions. Furthermore, 4,5-dihydrothiophenes were aromatized to thiophenes by treatment with KOH in DMF at room temperature. A probable mechanism for the formation of dihydrothiophenes and thiophenes from α-allyl dithioesters has been suggested. Notably, a large-scale experiment and the transformations of products indicated the potential utility of this reaction compared to competing processes for the synthesis of 4,5-dihydrothiophenes and thiophenes.

Synthesis of Substituted Thiophenes through Dehydration and Heterocyclization of Alkynols

A protocol was described for obtaining a variety of substituted thiophenes with functional potential via metal-free dehydration and sulfur cyclization of alkynols with elemental sulfur (S₈) or EtOCS₂K in moderate-to-good yields. The method provides the base-free generation of a trisulfur radical anion (S₃^•-) and its addition to alkynes as an initiator. This research broadens the applications of S₃^•- in the synthesis of sulfur-containing heterocycles.

Cu-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 1] cascade annulation of vinyl iodonium salts with elemental sulfur/selenium for the modular synthesis of thiophenes and selenophenes

The Cu-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 1] regioselective synthesis of thiophenes/selenophenes was realized from aryl-vinyl iodonium salts and elemental sulfur/selenium.

Recent strategies in the synthesis of thiophene derivatives: highlights from the 2012-2020 literature

Thiophene-based analogs have been fascinated by a growing number of scientists as a potential class of biologically active compounds. Furthermore, they play a vital role for medicinal chemists to improve advanced compounds with a variety of biological effects. The current review envisioned to highlight some recent and particularly remarkable examples of the synthesis of thiophene derivatives by heterocyclization of various substrates from 2012 on.

Access to Substituted Thiophenes through Xanthate-Mediated Vinyl C(sp2)-Br Bond Cleavage and Heterocyclization of Bromoenynes

An environmentally sustainable strategy for the chemoselective heterocyclization of bromoenynes through a transition-metal-free sulfuration/cyclization process is reported. Using inexpensive and safe EtOCS₂K as a thiol surrogate and tetrabutylphosphonium bromide and H₂O as a mixed solvent, the reaction provided a range of substituted thiophenes in moderate to good yields. In addition, 2,3,4,5-tetrasubstituted thiophenes were able to be prepared under mild reaction conditions by electrophilic heterocyclization with NH₄I and EtOCS₂K in good yields.

Elemental-Sulfur-Incorporated Cyclizations of Pyrrolidines Leading to Thienopyrroles

We report, herein, the synthesis of thieno[3,2-b]pyrroles from the direct oxidative [4 + 1] cyclization of 2-alkynyl pyrrolidines with elemental sulfur. This transformation likely originates from electrophilic attack at the β-position of pyrrolidine followed by an intramolecular thienannulation to deliver the desired product. Mechanistic investigation suggests that the present reaction involves the formation of dihydrothieno[3,2-b]pyrrole as an intermediate.

Recent Advances in Sulfur-Containing Heterocycle Formation via Direct C–H Sulfuration with Elemental Sulfur

The synthesis of sulfur heterocycles via the construction of C–S bonds has received considerable attention due to their biological value and extensive pharmaceutical application. While diverse sulfurating agents have been developed over the past few decades, in this regard, elemental sulfur, with advantages of low toxicity, odorless nature and chemical stability, has great potential for the construction of diverse sulfur heterocycles through its direct incorporation into the target molecules in a concise way. Direct functionalization of inert C–H bonds can shorten the number of reaction steps and minimize the amount of waste formed. Hence, heteroannulations via direct C–H sulfuration is considered to be an attractive strategy for the synthesis of sulfur heterocycles. In the last few years, a vast array of concise systems have been reported for the synthesis of some valuable sulfur heterocycles such as thiophenes, thienoindoles, thienothiazoles, thiazoles, benzothiazoles, and thiadiazoles through direct C–H sulfuration/annulations with elemental sulfur. These are discussed in detail in this review.

1 Introduction

2 Thiophenes

3 Thienoindoles

4 Thienothiazoles

5 Other Fused Thiophenes

6 Thiazoles

7 Benzothiazoles

8 Thiadiazoles

9 Others

10 Summary and Outlook

Retrosynthetic Analysis of α-Alkenyl-β-Diketones: Regio- and Stereoselective Two-Step Synthesis of Highly Arylated Representatives from Acetylenes, Ketones, and Acyl Chlorides

Highly arylated α-alkenyl-β-diketones are synthesized via a two-step sequence consisting of (i) potassium tert-butoxide/DMSO-catalyzed (E)-stereoselective C-H functionalization of ketones with acetylenes followed by (ii) magnesium bromide etherate/DIPEA-soft enolization of the formed β,γ-unsaturated ketones and regioselective acylation with acyl chlorides. The method is compatible with a broad range of substrates and shown to be applicable as an intermediate stage in the construction of polyarylated heterocycles.

Cascade cyclization versus chemoselective reduction: a solvent-controlled product divergence

A convenient controllable cascade cyclization and partial reduction of enones for the divergent construction of two types of valuable compounds including polysubstituted thiophenes and saturated ketones are developed.

Three-component synthesis of 1,4-benzothiazines via iodide-catalyzed aerobic C–H sulfuration with elemental sulfur

Five to Six: Beyond the well-established thiazole formation from elemental sulfur, this method provides the first access to the corresponding six-membered N,S-heterocyclic products via direct functionalization of multiple C–H bonds.

Synthesis of tetrasubstituted thiophenes via a [3+2] cascade cyclization reaction of pyridinium 1,4-zwitterionic thiolates and activated allenes

A [3+2] cascade cyclization reaction of pyridinium 1,4-zwitterionic thiolates and activated allenes was developed to access tetrasubstituted thiophenes.

Metal-free synthesis of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines via elemental sulfur mediated sequential dual oxidative Csp3-H amination

A simple and efficient approach has been developed for the synthesis of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines using the elemental sulfur mediated sequential dual oxidative Csp3-H amination of 2-pyridyl acetates and amines under metal- and peroxide-free conditions. Broad substrate scope, operational simplicity and gram-scale ability make this chemistry very practical.

Iodine-promoted one-pot synthesis of 1,3,4-oxadiazole scaffolds via sp3 C–H functionalization of azaarenes

An efficient metal-free one-pot protocol has been developed for the construction of 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives via iodine-mediated oxidative amination of benzylic C–H bonds of azaarenes.

Oxidative C(sp3)–H functionalization of methyl-azaheteroarenes: a facile route to 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyridines

An oxidative [4 + 1] annulation for triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine–quinoline linked diheterocycle synthesis via functionalization of the sp³ C–H bonds of 2-methyl-azaheteroarenes has been developed.

Transition-Metal-Free Sulfuration/Annulation of Alkenes: Economical Access to Thiophenes Enabled by the Cleavage of Multiple C-H Bonds

A novel, atom economical, and transition-metal-free strategy for the synthesis of thiophenes from substituted buta-1-enes with potassium sulfide has been presented. The reaction achieves double C-S bond formations via cleavage of multiple C-H bonds and provides an efficient approach to access various functionalized thiophenes. Moreover, the strategy can also be used for the synthesis of thiophenes from 1,4-diaryl-1,3-dienes. Mechanistically, DMSO plays a role of oxidant and S₃^•- in situ generated from K₂S is involved.

Cu-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Sulfuration/Annulation Approach to Thiazoles via Multiple Csp3-H Bond Cleavage

A novel and practical Cu-catalyzed aerobic oxidative synthesis of thiazoles was developed. This chemistry for the first time achieved thiazole construction from simple aldehydes, amines, and element sulfur through multiple Csp³-H bond cleavage processes. Molecular oxygen was used as a green oxidant in this oxidative protocol. The substrate scope is broad with the tolerance of aliphatic amines. The mechanistic study might promote the reaction design for a new sulfuration/annulation reaction with readily available element sulfur.