Copper-catalyzed thiolation annulations of 1,4-dihalides with sulfides leading to 2-trifluoromethyl benzothiophenes and benzothiazoles.

Copper-catalyzed double thiolation reaction of 1,4-dihalides with sulfides has been developed for selectively synthesizing 2-trifluoromethyl benzothiophenes and benzothiazoles. In the presence of CuI, a variety of 2-halo-1-(2-haloaryl)-3,3,3-trifluoropropylenes smoothly underwent the thiolation annulation with Na(2)S to afford 2-trifluoromethyl benzothiophenes in moderate to good yields. Moreover, the conditions are compatible with N-(2-haloaryl)trifluoroacetimidoyl chlorides in the presence of NaHS and K(3)PO(4), leading to 2-trifluoromethyl benzothiazoles.