Copper‐Mediated Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling Reaction of Pyrrole and Indole Derivatives with Thiols

Abstract

A copper‐mediated C(sp2)–H thiolations of pyrrole and indole derivatives with commercially available thiols utilizing removable monodentate directing group is described. This protocol tolerated a broad functional group, providing the thiolated products in 40%‐97% yields. Furthermore, the synthetic utility of this protocol was demonstrated by the late‐ stage functionalization of bioactive tryptophan peptide. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that a Cu(II)/Cu(III) reaction model is most likely to be involved in this C–H thiolation.