Base-controlled Fe(Pc)-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of thiols for the synthesis of S-S and S-P(O) bonds.

Fe(Pc)-Catalyzed aerobic oxidation of thiols for the synthesis of disulfides has been developed under mild reaction conditions. In addition, an aerobic oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction of thiols with P(O)-H compounds (H-phosphonates and H-phosphine oxide) for the formation of S-P(O) bonds has been demonstrated under the Fe(Pc) catalysis system with a base additive. Control experiments revealed that the use of a base (DIPA) in this system controls the synthetic pathways in which thiophosphates are formed.