Electrochemical sulfinylation of phenols with sulfides: a metal- and oxidant-free cross-coupling for the synthesis of aromatic sulfoxides

The site-selective C-H functionalization of arenes is of indisputable importance in organic chemistry. Herein, we have demonstrated an electrochemical regioselective oxidative cross-coupling towards the direct C(sp2)-H sulfinylation of phenols with sulfides under mild reaction conditions. The designed methodology furnished aryl sulfoxides in good to moderate yields under exogenous metal and oxidant-free conditions. Moreover, the exploitation of traceless electrons to carry out the tandem site-selective oxidative aryl chalcogenation is the striking feature of this methodology.