A new synthesis of thioethers is described. The reaction of aryl
alcohols with aryl, heteroaryl, and alkyl thiols in the presence
of TAPC as an efficient catalyst affords good to excellent yields
of thioethers. Furthermore, the reaction proceeds under metal-free
and solvent-free conditions thus represents an interesting complement
to known methods for thioether synthesis. A plausible mechanism
for this reaction is delineated.
thioethers - S-alkylation - thiols - alcohols - solvent-free conditions
