Design, Development and Molecular Docking Studies of C-2 Sulfenylated Benzofurans: Potential Interleukin 1-β Antagonist

An environmental friendly methodology for C-2 sulfenylation of benzofurans through dehydrogenative cross-coupling has been developed. Sulfenylation at second position is carried out using commercially available thiols in presence of molecular iodine and DMSO. The reaction accommodates wide spectrum of electronically diverse substituents on thiophenol ring. This process offers diverse advantages, including greener reaction conditions, moderate to good percentage yields, easy workup, no additional metal catalysts requirement and gram scale synthesis. Molecular docking studies is also conducted to substantiate interleukin 1-β antagonist nature of the designed compounds.