Copper-catalyzed synthesis of aryl and alkyl trifluoromethyl sulfides using CF3SiMe3 and Na2S2O3 as –SCF3 source

A universal and efficient Cu(I)-catalyzed synthesis of aryl and alkyl trifluoromethyl sulfides has been developed. In this catalytic system, S-aryl or S-alkyl sulfothioate (I or II) proved to be the key intermediate. Substrates bearing groups of I, Br, Cl, OTs, and OMs on the aryl carbon and no matter electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substitutions on the aromatic ring could afford good to excellent yields.