Trifluoromethylthiolation of Unsymmetrical λ³-Iodane Derivatives: Additive-Free, Selective and Scalable Introduction of the SCF₃ Group

The reaction of copper trifluoromethyl sulfide with diaryliodonium salts provides a straightforward pathway for the synthesis of aryl trifluoromethyl thioethers under mild reaction conditions and within short reaction times. High chemoselectivity was achieved by using mesityl as a leaving group. A large range of novel [(het)aryl](mesityl)iodonium salts underwent this reaction under the optimized conditions to give the desired products in moderate to good yields.