Nickel(II)-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Xanthate Esters with Sulfur-Containing and Selenium-Containing Compounds: Synthesis of Unsymmetric Sulfides and Selenides

Unsymmetric sulfides and selenides have great applications in the pharmaceutical field. Herein, we describe the reductive coupling reaction of xanthate esters with sulfur-containing and selenium-containing compounds (thio(seleno)sulfonates and disulfides(selenides)) under the nickel-catalyzed condition. It provides a mild and effective method for the synthesis of unsymmetric sulfides and selenides which has the advantages of mild reaction conditions, high yields and a wide range of substrates. {GRAPHIACAL ABSTRACT}