Nickel-induced conversion of carbon–sulphur into carbon–carbon bonds. One-step transformations of enol sulphides into olefins and benzenethiol derivatives into alkylarenes and biaryls

Abstract

The reactions of alkenyl sulphides, benzenethiols, and aryl sulphides with methylmagnesium and arylmagnesium bromides, mediated by bis(triphenylphosphine)nickel dichloride, in benzene solution have been shown to lead to olefins (predominantly with retention of configuration), toluenes, and biphenyls in medium to high yields.