Ligand-Free Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of Asymmetrical Thioethers by Coupling Aryl or Alkyl Halides Using an Acetyl Thiourea Precursor in Wet Polyethylene Glyol (PEG 400)

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Abstract

Asymmetrical diaryl or aryl alkyl thioethers can be prepared in good to excellent yields by coupling the appropriate aryl iodides and aryl or alkyl bromines using acetyl thiourea as a thiolprecursor, Cu₂O as a catalyst, KOH as a base, and PEG 400-H₂O as a solvent under ligand-free conditions.

Keywords:

• Asymmetrical thioether
• copper
• acetyl thiourea
• PEG
• cross-coupling
• catalysis