Iodine-catalyzed efficient 2-arylsulfanylphenol formation from thiols and cyclohexanones

Abstract

A novel method for the formation of 2-arylsulfanylphenols from thiols and cyclohexanones is described. Iodine was used as an effective catalyst for this kind of transformation. Cyclohexanones were used as a phenol source via a dehydrogenation and tautomerization reaction.