AlCl < inf > 3 < /inf > -Catalyzed Intermolecular Annulation of Thiol Derivatives and Alkynes by 1,2-Sulfur Migration: Construction of 6-Substituted Benzo[b]thiophenes

Abstract

A method for the AlCl3-catalyzed intermolecular oxidative annulation of N-(arylthio)phthalimide derivatives with alkynes has been developed. The annulation reaction occurs at room temperature and involves the oxidative cleavage of the S–N bond and 1,2-sulfur migration, which leads to the construction of diverse arrays of π-conjugated 6-substituted 2,3-diarylbenzo[b]thiophene derivatives.