In contrast to hypervalent iodine compounds, the chemistry
of their
sulfur analogues has been considerably less explored. Herein, we report
the direct C–H bond thiolation of electron-rich heterocycles,
arenes, and 1,3-dicarbonyls by dichlorosulfuranes under mild conditions.
Mechanistic studies and density functional theory calculations suggest
the radical chain mechanism of the disclosed transformation. The key
to success is attributed to a strikingly low S–Cl bond dissociation
energy, which enables the generation of radical species upon exposure
to daylight.