Rhodium-catalyzed phenylthiolation reaction of heteroaromatic compounds using α-(phenylthio)isobutyrophenone

In the presence of catalytic amounts of RhH(PPh3)4 and 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe), 1,3-benzothiazoles, 1,3-benzoxazoles, and benzothiophene reacted with α-(phenylthio)isobutyrophenone giving 2-phenylthio derivatives. Reactive monocyclic heteroaromatics, 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrazole and 2-cyanothiophene were also converted into the 5-phenylthio derivatives. The use of an appropriate phenylthio transfer reagent is crucial for the efficient catalyzed conversion of heteroaromatic C–H bonds into C–S bonds.