Efficient copper-catalyzed S-vinylation of thiols with vinyl halides.

The synthesis of vinyl sulfides through the coupling reaction of thiols with vinyl iodides, bromides, and chlorides is described. The thiols can couple with aryl iodides in the presence of only 0.5 mol % Cu(2)O without the need for an ancillary ligand. In the presence of 5 mol % of Cu(2)O and 10 mol % 1,10-phenanthroline as the ligand, the more challenging alkyl vinyl bromides can also be coupled with thiols, giving the vinyl sulfides in good to excellent yields.