The sulfur extrusion from organic disulfides is a highly useful reaction recognised for the first time over 40 years ago. Unfortunately, it is mainly performed by aminophosphines, such as hexamethylphosphorus triamine, which is known to be very carcinogenic. This limits the application of the extrusion reaction especially for the synthesis of pharmaceutical products.We have developed a new method, using N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), generated from the corresponding stable imidazolium salts in combination with a base to transform a broad scope of benzylic disulfides to thioethers. In addition disulfide containing esters as well as cystine undergo this reaction.