Diarylation of chalcogen elements using arylboronic acids via copper- or palladium-catalyzed oxidative coupling

Transition metal-catalyzed diarylations of sulfur, selenium and tellurium were achieved using arylboronic acids in air. A copper-catalyzed reaction of sulfur or selenium efficiently yielded numerous symmetrical diaryl sulfides or selenides in the presence of NH4BF4. However, the diarylation of tellurium was not possible using this method, and required a palladium catalyst in the presence of KI and air for the reaction to proceed. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.