One-Pot Stepwise Dechalcogenization of Trisulfides to Unsymmetrical Dialkyl Thioethers.

The construction of C-S bonds has garnered significant interest due to the ubiquitous presence of organosulfur compounds in natural products and bioactive molecules. Herein, we report a one-pot, stepwise desulfuration strategy employing trisulfides as precursors for the synthesis of unsymmetrical dialkylthioethers. Our study demonstrates that copper powder facilitates the conversion of trisulfides into disulfides, which subsequently undergo a nickel-catalyzed reductive coupling to afford the desired products. This approach provides a practical, odorless, and broadly applicable method for the synthesis of unsymmetrical dialkylthioethers.