PdCl2/DMSO-Catalyzed Thiol–Disulfide Exchange: Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Disulfide

Unsymmetrical disulfides have been effectively prepared through thiol exchange with symmetrical disulfides employing a simple PdCl2/DMSO catalytic system. The given method features excellent functional group tolerance, a broad substrate scope, and operational simplicity. This reaction is especially useful for late-stage functionalization of bioactive scaffolds such as peptides and pharmaceuticals. Disulfide-containing organic dyes have also been prepared. This transformation could be extended to thiol–diselenide or thiol–ditelluride exchange affording RS–SeR′ or RS–TeR′.