Unsymmetrical Sulfides, Selenides, and Tellurides from Organoboronic Acids

Significance

This procedure allows a convenient and general transformation of various organoboronic acids into unsymmetrical sulfides, selenides, or tellurides. The mild reaction conditions ensure an excellent functional group tolerance, thus making this reaction useful for the combinatorial-like synthesis of biologically relevant molecules. The best yields are achieved with aryl chalcogenides and arylboronic acids; nevertheless, the scope of suitable substrates is quite broad. This is one of few useful methods for the preparation of unsymmetrical selenides and tellurides.