Abstract
An efficient nickel-catalyzed vicinal thiosulfonylation of 1-bromoalkynes with thiosulfonates in the presence of cesium carbonate is described. An operationally simple and highly regioselective atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) of alkynyl bromides provides a wide range of (E )-1,2-thiosulfonylethenes (α-aryl-β-thioarylvinyl sulfones) in moderate to high yields. The extensive substrate scope of both alkynyl bromides and thiosulfonates is explored with a broad range of functional groups. Indole-derived 1,1-bromoalkenes were also successfully explored in this 1,2-thiosulfonylation process. Moreover, the nickel-catalyzed geminal -dithiolation of alkynyl bromides with N -arylthio succinimides provides 1,1-dithioalkenes in high yields. The present protocol is reliable on gram scale, and a sequential one-pot bromination and thiosulfonylation of phenylacetylene is achieved in a scale-up synthesis. Following control experiments, a plausible mechanism is proposed to rationalize the experimental outcome and the vicinal thiosulfonylation.
Key words alkynyl bromides - atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) - thiosulfonylation - thiosulfonates - vinyl thiosulfones
