Solvent-free copper-catalyzed oxidative S-arylation of 1,2-diaryldisulfides with aryltrimethoxysilane

A novel and solvent-free protocol for the synthesis of diarylsulfides by the copper-catalyzed oxidative S-arylation of 1,2-diaryldisulfides with aryltrimethoxysilanes is reported. In the presence of CuI, 2-(di-tert-butylphosphino)biphenyl, and TBAF (n-Bu4NF), a variety of 1,2-diaryldisulfides underwent the S-arylation reaction with aryltrimethoxysilanes smoothly to afford the corresponding products in moderate to good yield. it is noteworthy that the reaction is conducted under solvent-free conditions. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.