The copper-mediated direct thiolation of carbazole derivatives with disulfides via C(sp2)–H bond cleavage was developed for synthesizing diaryl and alkyl aryl sulfides. This reaction exhibits wide tolerance toward various functional groups giving the products in good yields without any additives or ligands, and can be easily extended to the synthesis of thioethers carrying a benzo[h]quinolone, 2-phenylquinoline, or indole moiety in satisfactory yields.
