10.1021/acs.joc.0c01516
The study focuses on the synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted thiophenes and 2-substituted benzo[b]thiophenes using the trithiocarbonate anion (CS32-) as a sulfur source. This anion was generated in situ from carbon disulfide (CS2) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The purpose of these chemicals is to serve as a novel synthetic equivalent of the S2- synthon, which is used for the cyclization of 1,3-butadiynes and 2-haloalkynyl (hetero)arenes. The study aims to provide a cheap and readily available method for the synthesis of these compounds, which have applications in various fields such as biochemistry, materials chemistry, and organic synthesis. The use of CS32- allows for metal-free cyclization reactions, offering a moderate to good yield of the target compounds with good functional group tolerance.