A highly efficient Cu-catalyzed S-transfer reaction: from amine to sulfide.

A highly efficient Cu-catalyzed dual C-S bonds formation reaction, proceeding in alcohol and water under air, is reported, in which inodorous stable Na2S2O3 is used as a sulfurating reagent. This powerful strategy provides a practical and efficient approach to construct thioethers, using readily available aromatic amines and alkyl halides as starting materials. Sensitive and synthetic useful functional groups could be tolerated. Furthermore, pharmaceuticals, glucose, an amino acid, and a chiral ligand are successfully furnished by this late-stage sulfuration strategy.