Electrophilic thioether synthesis starting from organozinc reagents
Illustrated representation of electrophilic thioether synthesis (Image: Peter Dowling)
Under the direction of Prof. Paul Knochel, the doctoral student Simon Graßl has developed a robust and versatile electrophilic synthesis of thioethers. The synthon of the thioether is a widely used functional group and is represented among others in various biologically active substances, pharmaceuticals and organic semiconductors.
For the described method, N-thiophthalimides were used as an electrophilic sulfur source and reacted under copper catalysis with organozinc Regenzien. Only small amounts of copper (II) acetate monohydrate were needed as a catalyst. In addition to a large number of different thioethers, this method could also initiate the introduction of small highly functional groups such as thiotrifluoromethyl (-SCF3) or thiocyanates (-SCN).
These results appeared in the journal Chemistry - A European Journal as Cover Feature / Hot Paper.
Publication: Chemistry - A European Journal