A tetrabutylammonium
iodide-mediated direct sulfenylation of arenes
with ethyl arylsulfinates in water was developed. Various electron-rich
arenes and ethyl arylsulfinates were investigated in the reaction,
and a series of aryl sulfides were obtained in excellent yields. The
advantages of this green protocol were simple reaction conditions
(metal-free, water as the solvent, and under air), odorless and easily
available sulfur reagent, broad substrate scope, and gram-scale synthesis.
Moreover, the potential application of aryl sulfides was exemplified
by further transformations.