Hydrochloric Acid-Promoted Intermolecular 1,2-Thiofunctionalization of Aromatic Alkenes

An efficient method for making 1,2-thiofunctionalized products via the difunctionalization of aromatic alkenes was developed. In this method, cheap and readily available hydrochloric acid was used to promote 1,2-thiofunctionalization of aryl alkenes with N-arylsulfenylphthalimide and different types of nucleophiles. Importantly, extension of nucleophiles can reach aryl ethers, indoles, and carboxylic acids with good reactivity. This practical and convenient method has broad substrate scope and high yields under metal-free and mild conditions. Furthermore, we achieved conversion and application for making sulfoxide and sulfone by oxidation.