Efficient silver-catalyzed direct sulfenylation and selenylation of rich arenes.

An efficient protocol for silver/copper-cocatalyzed direct sulfenylation and selenylation of arenes with aryl disulfides and diselenides has been developed. This strategy exhibits excellent functional group tolerance and high regioselectivity. Mono sulfenylation and selenylation products can be exclusively achieved. This reaction provides a simple and practical route to the preparation of aryl sulfides and selenides.