Ionic liquid/PPh3 promoted cleavage of diphenyl disulfide and diselenide: a straight-forward metal-free one-pot route to the synthesis of unsymmetrical sulfides and selenides

A metal-free cleavage of diphenyl disulfide and diphenyl diselenide has been achieved using ionic liquid/triphenyl phosphine (PPh3) and a convenient protocol for the one-pot synthesis of unsymmetrical sulfides and selenides by condensing ‘in situ’ generated thiolate or selenate anion with alkyl halides has been developed. In addition, 1,4-conjugate addition of the generated thiolate anions to activated alkenes has also been demonstrated. The ionic liquid, 1-methyl-3-pentyl imidazolium bromide, [pmIm]Br plays a crucial role in promoting the course of the reactions and shows superior activity and selectivity compared to other solvents. The [pmIm]Br has been reused for at least five times without appreciable loss of activity.