Catalytic Synthesis of 3-Thioindoles Using Bunte Salts as Sulfur Sources under Metal-Free Conditions

An efficient catalytic method for the synthesis of 3-thioindoles has been successfully developed, which uses odorless, stable, readily available crystalline Bunte salts as the sulfenylating agents, iodine as nonmetallic catalyst, and DMSO as both the oxidant and solvent. This method is practical and environmentally benign in terms of sulfur sources, catalyst, and solvent. The catalytic reaction is selective at the C3 position of indoles and compatible with a wide range of substrates, giving the desired products in good to excellent yields.