Regioselective Mono‐ and Bis‐Sulfenylation of Active Methylene Compounds

Abstract

Abstract Selective mono‐ and bis‐sulfenylation of active methylene groups with a variety of disulfides at an ambient temperature is reported. Sulfenylation is promoted by iodine as a catalyst and sulfenyl iodides as intermediates, under metal‐free conditions. The method is greener in terms of solvent selection and the use of less hazardous DMSO as an oxidant. The procedure is highly efficient with readily available starting materials, giving good to excellent yields.