Metal- and oxidant-free electrochemical synthesis of sulfinic esters from thiols and alcohols†
Chongren Ai,Haiwei Shen,Dingguo Song,Yujin Li,Xiao Yi,Ze Wang,Fei Ling,Weihui Zhong
Green Chemistry Pub Date : 09/23/2019 00:00:00 , DOI:10.1039/C9GC02125F
Abstract

An efficient and eco-friendly electrochemical synthesis of various sulfinic esters from thiols and alcohols via sequential S–H/S bond cleavage and double S–O bond formation under mild reaction conditions has been developed. Stoichiometric oxidants, metal catalysts, activating agents and even added bases were avoided in this method, and the only by-product generated from this reaction was dihydrogen gas which could serve as a green source of energy. Various functional groups are compatible with this green protocol which can be easily conducted on a gram-scale.

Graphical abstract: Metal- and oxidant-free electrochemical synthesis of sulfinic esters from thiols and alcohols