Cs2CO3-Promoted Hydrothiolation of Alkynes with Aryl Thioureas: Stereoselective Synthesis of (Z)-Vinyl Sulfides

Reactions of alkynes with C-S bond formation: recent developments

Alkynes are important in organic synthesis. This review mainly focuses on recent advances (2013-2023) on alkynes with C-S bond formation, based on more than 30 types of sulfur reagents. The reactions of alkynes with various sulfur-containing compounds including RSSR (disulfides), RSH (thiols), S8 (elemental sulphur), alkynyl thioethers, RSCN, AgSCF3, K2S, Na2S, dithiane, RSCl, NFSI, RNCS, EtOCS2K, thiocarbamate, RSONH2, thiourea, sulfoxide, RSO2N3, CS2, RSO2NH2, RSO2NHNH2, RSO2Cl, RSO2Oar, RSO2SR', DABCO·(SO2)2, Na2S2O5, K2S2O5, RSO2H, RSO2Na and related compounds are discussed. Diverse mechanisms such as radical, electrophilic/nucleophilic addition, rearrangement, C-C bond cleavage, and CuAAC are discussed. The content is organized by substrates and reactivity patterns. We hope it will help in future research in this area.

Thiolation of Terminal Alkynes with Thiuram Disulfide Reagents Using Water as the Hydrogen Source: Stereoselective Synthesis of (Z)-Vinyl Sulfides

A stereoselective and environmentally friendly thiolation of terminal alkynes was reported. Thiuram disulfide reagents (tetramethylthiuram disulfide and tetraethylthiuram disulfide) that reacted with alkynes in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/H2O could give (Z)-vinyl sulfides in good yields (up to 88%). This protocol features broad substrate scope, good stereoselectivity, high atom economy, good yields, and is transition metal-free. Mechanistic studies revealed that water and DMSO served as hydrogen sources, which greatly highlighted the unique reactivity of this special reaction involving two H-atom donors.

Glyoxylic Acid Monohydrate-Promoted Formation of the C-SO2 Bond Starting from Maleimides/Quinones and Sodium Sulfinates

By using glyoxylic acid monohydrate as a promoter, a wide range of substances containing a C-SO2 bond could be obtained from N-substituted maleimides or quinones and sodium sulfinates. The protocol features mild reaction conditions, short reaction time, and good atomic economics, which provides an alternative protocol for the α-sulfonylation of α,β-unsaturated ketones.

Cation-Intercalated Lamellar MoS2 Adsorbent Enables Highly Selective Capture of Cesium

Highly selective capture of cesium (Cs+) from complex aqueous solutions has become increasingly important owing to its (133Cs) indispensable role in some cutting-edge technologies and the environmental mobility of radioactive nuclide (137Cs) from nuclear wastewater. Herein, we report the development of cation-intercalated lamellar MoS2 as an effective Cs+ adsorbent with the advantages of facile synthesis and highly tunable layer spacing. Two types of cations, including Na+ and NH4+, were employed for the intercalations between adjacent layers of MoS2. The results demonstrated that the adsorption capacity of the NH4+-intercalated material (M-NH4+, 134 mg/g) for Cs+ clearly outperformed the others due to higher loading percentages of cations and larger layer spacing. The cesium partition coefficients for M-NH4+ in the presence of 100-fold competing ions all exceed 1 × 103 mL/g. A simulated complex aqueous solution containing 15.37 mg/L Cs+ and highly excess of competing ions Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ (20-306 times higher) was introduced to prove the practical application potential using our best-performing M-NH4+, showing a good to excellent partition ability of Cs+ among other cations, especially for Cs/K and Cs/Na with separation factors of 58 and 212, respectively. The adsorption and selectivity mechanisms were clearly elucidated using various advanced techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy. These results revealed that the good selectivity for Cs+ can be ascribed to the differences in Lewis acidities, hydration energy, cation sizes, and in particular, the divergence of coordination modes which was successfully achieved after tuning the layer distance via the cation intercalation strategy. In addition, the material has fast kinetics (<30 min), wide range of pH tolerance (4-10), and good reusability. Overall, our studies point out that the tunable lamellar MoS2-based materials are promising adsorbents for Cs+ capture and separation.

PPh3/I2 Promoted Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Disulfides from Sodium Sulfites and 2-Mercaptobenzo Heterocyclics

A simple and efficient method for the synthesis of unsymmetrical disulfides is reported. Using sodium sulfites and 2-mercaptobenzo heterocyclic compounds as starting materials, the unsymmetrical sulfur-sulfur bonds could be quickly constructed in the PPh3/I2 reaction system under transition-metal-free conditions. This protocol has the advantages of mild reaction conditions, easily available starting materials, and wide substrate scope, showing potential synthetic value for the synthesis of a diversity of biologically or pharmaceutically active compounds.

One-Pot Synthesis of Benzoxazole/Benzothiazole-Substituted Esters by Michael Addition: A Selective Construction of C-N/C-S Bonds

An efficient and convenient synthesis of benzoxazole/benzothiazole-substituted esters in a one-pot strategy is reported. In this investigation, a selective construction of C-N and C-S bonds via simple addition is performed. Thus, using substituted 2-aminophenols/2-aminobenzenethiols, TMTD (tetramethylthiuram disulfide) and α,β-unsaturated esters as starting substrates, C-N and C-S bonds can be selectively constructed by means of the Michael addition reaction. This protocol features high selectivity, high atomic economy, mild conditions, good functional tolerance and good to excellent yields, showing the potential value for the preparation of some biologically and pharmaceutically active compounds.

Access to Sulfur-Containing Bisheterocycles through Base-Promoted Consecutive Tandem Cyclization/Sulfenylation with Elemental Sulfur

A convenient and efficient tandem cyclization/sulfenylation of o-alkynyl-phenols/-anilines/enaminones for the synthesis of diverse sulfur-containing bisheterocycles has been developed using stable, odorless, and easy-to-handle elemental S₈ as a building block under green chemistry conditions. Notably, a one-step simple base-mediated organic transformation affords a benzofuran (indole or chromone) ring and two C-S bonds. Attractive features of this methodology include the absence of a metal catalyst, mild conditions, good functional group tolerance, and valuable product structures.

One-Pot Synthesis of N,N-Diphenyl-2-benzothiazolamines from 1-(2-Iodophenyl)-3-phenylthioureas and Iodobenzenes

An efficient copper-catalyzed synthesis of a variety of N,N-diphenyl-2-benzothiazolamines was developed. Starting from substituted 1-(2-iodophenyl)-3-phenylthioureas and substituted iodobenzenes, the reaction proceeded smoothly via a tandem manner in the presence of CuI to afford the corresponding N,N-diphenyl-2-benzothiazolamine derivatives with good functional group tolerance. The protocol features simple performance, easily available starting materials, a one-pot manner, and good functional group tolerance, providing a practical strategy for the preparation of poly-functionalized amines.

Copper-Catalyzed Multicomponent Reactions of Intramolecular and Intermolecular Thiotrifluoromethylation of Alkenes: Access to CF3-Containing 2-Iminothiazolidines and Isothioureas

A copper-catalyzed multicomponent reaction of secondary amines bearing allyl substitution, isothiocyanates, and Togni reagent II has been developed under Cs₂CO₃ in DCE at 75 °C. An intermolecular multicomponent reaction of thioureas, activated and unactivated alkenes, and Togni reagent II has also been developed under DMAP in acetonitrile at room temperature. These two alkene difunctionalization reactions provide CF₃-containing 2-iminothiazolindines and isothioureas in moderate to excellent yields with broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance, respectively.

Synthesis of Unsymmetric Thiosulfonates Starting from N-Substituted O-Thiocarbamates: Easy Access to the S-SO2 Bond

Using phenyliodine diacetate as an oxidant and nickel acetate as a promoter, a wide range of unsymmetric thiosulfonates could be furnished easily in moderate to excellent yields starting from N-substituted O-thiocarbamates and sodium sulfinates. This protocol features mild conditions, short reaction times, and high atomic utilization, which can provide an alternative method for the synthesis of unsymmetric thiosulfonates. In addition, the reaction could be scaled up on a gram scale, showing potential application value in industry.

Easy S-Alkylation of Arylthioureas and 2-Mercaptobenzothiazoles Using Tetraalkylammonium Salts under Transition-Metal-Free Conditions

A highly-efficient and practical method for S-alkylation of arylthioureas was reported. Using tetraalkylammonium salts as alkylation reagents, a series of 68 S-substituted aryl-isothioureas were obtained in good to excellent yields under transition-metal-free conditions. The protocol features simple performance, broad functional group tolerance, good to excellent yields, and easily available starting materials, showing potential synthetic value for the preparation of diverse biologically or pharmaceutically active compounds.

One-Pot Synthesis of Benzoazole-Substituted Thioenamines via a Cross Dehydrogenation Coupling (CDC) Reaction

An iodine-catalyzed synthesis of benzoazole-substituted thioenamines in a one-pot manner was reported. Using 2-aminothiophenols (or 2-aminophenols or 1,2-phenylenediamines), tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD), and enamines (mainly indoles) as starting materials, the target C(sp²)-S formation products (benzoazole-substituted thioenamines) could be furnished smoothly in good yields. The reaction might proceed through an electrophilic substitution pathway in a cross dehydrogenation coupling (CDC) manner. The protocol is metal-free and features easy performance, a one-pot manner, a good functional group tolerance, and good yields.

Iodine promoted cyclization of N,N′-diphenylthiocarbamides with enaminones: a protocol for the synthesis of poly-substituted 2-iminothiazolines

An iodine promoted cyclization reaction between N,N′-diphenylthiocarbamides and enaminones was achieved, providing a series of poly-substituted 2-iminothiazolines.

Synthesis and Structural Studies of Cu(I) Methylthiosalicylate Complexes and their Catalytic Application in Thiol-Yne Click Reaction

Three complexes of Cu(I), [Cu(PPh3)2(mts)] (1), [Cu(dppf)(mts)] (2), [Cu(dppe)(mts)]2 (3) (mts = methylthiosalicylate; dppf = dipheylphosphinoferrocene; dppe = diphenylphosphinoethane) have been synthesized and characterized. Complexes 1 and 2 have monomeric...