Organophosphorus-Catalyzed “Dual-Substrate Deoxygenation” Strategy for C–S Bond Formation from Sulfonyl Chlorides and Alcohols/Acids

Abstract

A green method to construct C–S bonds using sulfonyl chlorides and alcohols/acids via a P III /P V ═O catalytic system is reported. The organophosphorus-catalyzed umpolung reaction promotes us to propose the “dual-substrate deoxygenation” strategy. Herein, we adopt the “dual-substrate deoxygenation” strategy, which achieves the deoxygenation of sulfonyl chlorides and alcohols/acids to synthesize thioethers/thioesters driven by P III /P V ═O redox cycling. The catalytic method represents an operationally simple approach using stable phosphine oxide as a precatalyst and shows broad functional group tolerance. The potential application of this protocol is demonstrated by the late-stage diversification of drug analogues.