DBDMH-Promoted Methylthiolation in DMSO: A Metal-Free Protocol to Methyl Sulfur Compounds with Multifunctional Groups
Yong-Jun Zhou,
Yong-Gan Fang,
Kai Yang,
Jian-Yun Lin,
Huan-Qing Li,
Zu-Jia Chen,
Zhao-Yang Wang
Affiliations
Yong-Jun Zhou
School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, GDMPA Key Laboratory for Process Control and Quality Evaluation of Chiral Pharmaceuticals, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
Yong-Gan Fang
School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, GDMPA Key Laboratory for Process Control and Quality Evaluation of Chiral Pharmaceuticals, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
Kai Yang
School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, GDMPA Key Laboratory for Process Control and Quality Evaluation of Chiral Pharmaceuticals, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
Jian-Yun Lin
School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, GDMPA Key Laboratory for Process Control and Quality Evaluation of Chiral Pharmaceuticals, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
Huan-Qing Li
School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, GDMPA Key Laboratory for Process Control and Quality Evaluation of Chiral Pharmaceuticals, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
Zu-Jia Chen
School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, GDMPA Key Laboratory for Process Control and Quality Evaluation of Chiral Pharmaceuticals, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
Zhao-Yang Wang
School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, GDMPA Key Laboratory for Process Control and Quality Evaluation of Chiral Pharmaceuticals, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
Organic thioethers play an important role in the discovery of drugs and natural products. However, the green synthesis of organic sulfide compounds remains a challenging task. The convenient and efficient synthesis of 5-alkoxy-3-halo-4-methylthio-2(5H)-furanones from DMSO is performed via the mediation of 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DBDMH), affording a facile route for the sulfur-functionalization of 3,4-dihalo-2(5H)-furanones under transition metal-free conditions. This new approach has demonstrated the functionalization of non-aromatic Csp2-X-type halides with unique structures containing C-X, C-O, C=O and C=C bonds. Compared with traditional synthesis methods using transition metal catalysts with ligands, this reaction has many advantages, such as the lower temperature, the shorter reaction time, the wide substrate range and good functional group tolerance. Notably, DMSO plays multiple roles, and is simultaneously used as an odorless methylthiolating reagent and safe solvent.