Ammonium Iodide Mediated Electrochemical Oxidative Sulfonylation of Thiols with Sodium Sulfinates to Access Thiosulfonates

Abstract An efficient protocol for the synthesis of thiosulfonates via the electrochemical oxidative sulfonylation of thiols and sodium sulfinates has been developed. The electrochemical oxidative sulfonylation reaction proceeded using NH 4 I both as a redox catalyst and a supporting electrolyte in undivided cell equipped with graphite anode and graphite cathode under constant current condition. This process avoids the utilization of external oxidants or corrosive molecular iodine and therefore represents an environmentally benign means for achieving the transformation.