A mild, nonbasic synthesis of thioethers. The copper-catalyzed coupling of boronic acids with N-thio(alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl)imides.

[reaction: see text] A new synthesis of thioethers is described. The reaction of boronic acids with aryl, heteroaryl, and alkyl N-thioimides in the presence of catalytic quantities of a Cu(I) carboxylate affords good to excellent yields of thioethers. This reaction takes place in the absence of a base under mild conditions (THF, 45-50 degrees C, 2.5-12 h) and represents an interesting complement to known methods for thioether synthesis.