Conversion of alcohols to alkyl aryl sulfides by a new type of oxidation-reduction condensation using phenyl diphenylphosphinite

Preparation of alkyl aryl sulfides from alcohols and arenethiols such as 2-sulfanyl-1,3-benzothiazole (BtzSH) is described by a new type of oxidation-reduction condensation using phenyl diphenylphosphinite (PhOPPh ₂) and benzoquinone derivatives or azide compounds. This reaction proceeds under mild and neutral conditions and is applicable to the thioetherification of various alcohols in which the chiral secondary and tertiary alcohols are converted into the corresponding chiral sulfides with almost complete inversion of configuration.