Copper-catalyzed 1,2-hydroxysulfenylation of alkene using disulfide via cleavage of the S-S bond.

Copper-catalyzed 1,2-hydroxysulfenylation of alkenes can be carried out by the use of disulfides and acetic acid in air. This reaction regio- and anti-selectively gave the corresponding 1,2-acetoxysulfides. Furthermore, the present method enables the use of both organosulfide groups of disulfide.