Co(II)-catalyzed regioselective clean and smooth synthesis of 2-(aryl/alkyl-thio)phenols via sp2 C-H bond activation

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.mcat.2018.04.020

The first example of a smooth, practical and useful strategy for the preparation of ortho-aryl/alkyl sulfenyl phenols by using the reaction of aryl/alkyl thiols with phenols in the presence cobalt as catalyst, and with the assistance of acetic anhydride as directing group via C-H bond activation, was developed. Described method enables to form selectively C-S bond without any ligand, oxidant, and aryl/alkyl halide under mild conditions.