Metal Free Mono‐ and 2,3‐Bis‐sulfenylation of Indoles in Water with Sodium Sulfinates as a Sulfur Source

An iodine‐PPh 3 mediated sulfenylation of indoles in water with stable and odorless sodium sulfinates as the sulfur source is described. The reaction could afford monosulfenylated indoles in moderate to excellent yields under metal free conditions. Moreover, double C—H sulfenylation of indoles at 2‐ and 3‐positions has also been achieved by using excess sodium sulfinates under the optimized reaction conditions.