A convenient and efficient copper-catalyzed S-arylation of arylthioureas using diaryliodonium salts is reported. The desired arylisothioureas were synthesized in good yields in the presence of CuCl as catalyst and K2CO3 as base, and a wide variety of functional groups on the arylthioureas and diaryliodonium salts were tolerated. The protocol affords an alternative synthesis of some potentially useful biological and pharmaceutical compounds.
Key words
copper - S-arylation - arylthioureas - diaryliodonium salts - synthesis