Safe, Scalable, Inexpensive, and Mild Nickel-Catalyzed Migita-like C–S Cross-Couplings in Recyclable Water

Abstract

Current manufacturing methods for cross-coupling reactins rely on organic solvents as reaction media. Under the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry, a new sustainable and recyclable way of carrying out the nickel-catalyzed C-S coupling reaction in water under mild conditions is demonstrated. The protocol shows a wide range of heteroaryl halides and thiols, including alkyl thiols and some heterocyclic thiols complex, obtaining a variety of thioether compounds with good yields. The method is scalable, results in low residual metal in the products, and is applied to syntheses of targets in the pharmaceutical area.