Catalyst and additive-free oxidative dual C-H sulfenylation of imidazoheterocycles with elemental sulfur using DMSO as a solvent and an oxidant.

Dual C-H sulfenylation was used to obtain 3-vulcanized imidazoheterocycles using odorless elemental sulfur under catalyst- and additive-free conditions. C-H activation of both imidazoheterocycles and arylamines/arenols/indoles was realized by a practical protocol in which DMSO served as both a solvent and an internal oxidant.