Molecular Iodine Catalyzed Hydroxysulfenylation of Alkenes with Disulfides in Aerobic Conditions

An environmentally friendly and efficient strategy has been developed for preparing β-hydroxy sulfides by a molecular-iodine-catalyzed radical reaction. This reaction involves hydroxysulfenylation of alkenes with disulfides in aqueous solution. Air is used as the oxidant without any additives. Control experiments indicated that the oxygen atom of products might come from O2. Both aryl alkenes and aliphatic alkenes were well tolerated in this transformation and afforded the corresponding products in moderate to high yields.