Synthesis of di(hetero)aryl sulfides by directly using arylsulfonyl chlorides as a sulfur source.

A new, efficient protocol for the synthesis of di(hetero)aryl sulfides is described. Cheap and easily available arylsulfonyl chlorides as a sulfur source reductively couple with electron-rich (hetero)arenes (e.g., indolizines, indoles, electron-rich benzenes, etc.) in the presence of triphenylphosphine to afford di(hetero)aryl thioethers in good yields.