Indium(I) iodide promoted cleavage of dialkyl/diaryl disulfides and subsequent anti-Markovnikov addition to styrenes: a new route to linear thioethers

The reaction of thiolate anions, generated in situ by indium(I) iodide promoted cleavage of dialkyl/diaryl disulfides, with styrenes has been investigated. Thiolate anions add to a variety of styrenes in an anti-Markovnikov manner producing linear thioethers in high yields. This method provides a new route to the synthesis of thioethers.