A highly efficient, ligand-free, and recyclable Cu2S-catalyzed coupling of aryl iodides with diaryl disulfides

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/ejoc.201000003

A highly efficient and ligand-free copper(I) sulfide catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of aryl iodides with diaryl disulfides was developed. With only 1 mol-% of Cu₂S as the catalyst, iron powder as the reductant, and K₂CO₃ as the base, aryl iodides reacted with disulfides in DMSO at 90-110 °C for 18-24 h under an atmosphere of argon to give the corresponding aryl sulfides in good to excellent yields. In addition, the catalyst is recyclable and reusable with some loss of activity.