An (NH4)2S2O8-promoted cross-coupling of thiols/diselenides and sulfoxides for the synthesis of unsymmetrical disulfides/selenosulfides

Abstract

An (NH₄)₂S₂O₈-promoted cross-coupling of thiols/diselenides and sulfoxides to construct unsymmetrical disulfides/selenosulfides is disclosed. Control experiments demonstrate that (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ acts as an acid and an oxidant, while both ionic and radical routes are involved in the reaction. The KIE experiments reveal that C–H bond cleavage of sulfoxides was involved in the turnover-limiting step.