The first one-pot oxidative 1,2-acetoxysulfenylation and 1,2-disulfenylation of Baylis–Hillman alcohols in an ionic liquid

The first example of tandem oxidation and 1,2-acetoxysulfenylation/1,2-disulfenylation of Baylis–Hillman (BH) alcohols to afford 1,2-acetoxysulfides/1,2-dithioethers is reported. The reaction involves oxidation of BH alcohols with IBX in [bmim]Br to give β-ketomethylene compounds in situ followed by CuI-imidazole-catalyzed 1,2-acetoxysulfenylation with an organodisulfide and acetic acid under air to afford vicinal acetoxysulfides in excellent yields with complete regioselectivity. In the absence of the Cu(I) catalyst, 1,2-disulfenylation takes place to give vicinal dithioethers in 81–90% yields.