Nickel-Catalyzed C-S Bond Formation: Synthesis of Aryl Sulfides from Arylsulfonyl Hydrazides and Boronic Acids

A practical nickel-catalysed approach has been developed for the C-S bond formation through the cross-coupling of arylsulfonyl hydrazides and aryl boronic acids. The report employs arylsulfonyl hydrazide as an aryl thiol equivalent and offers a mild and eco-safe synthesis of unsymmetrical thioethers in good to excellent yields in air. The scope and versatility of the method has been successfully demonstrated with 22 examples.