Synthesis of Sulfur-Substituted Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes by Iodo-Sulfenylation of [1.1.1]Propellane

Org Lett. 2022 Sep 30;24(38):7015-7020. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.2c02875. Epub 2022 Sep 21.

Abstract

Thiols easily react with [1.1.1]propellane to give sulfur-substituted bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes in radical reactions, but this reactivity is not replicated in the case of heterocyclic thiols. Herein, we address this issue by electrophilically activating [1.1.1]propellane to promote its iodo-sulfenylation with 10 classes of heterocyclic thiols in two protocols that can be conducted on a multigram scale without exclusion of air or moisture.