Efficient Synthesis of 3‐Mercaptoindoles via HI‐Promoted Sulfenylation of Indoles with Sodium Sulfinates

Abstract

Abstract A new direct sulfenylation method of indoles by sodium sulfinates and hydroiodic acid was developed giving variety of 3‐sulfenylindoles in high yields under mild conditions without using any catalysts or other additives. In situ‐generated RS‐I species are supposed to be mainly responsible for the key electrophilic alkyl‐ or aryl‐thiolation process.

Keywords

• hydroiodic acid
• indole
• regioselective
• sodium sulfinate
• 3-sulfenylindoles