Recent advantages in the metal (bulk and nano)-catalyzed S-arylation reactions of thiols with aryl halides in water: a perfect synergy for eco-compatible preparation of aromatic thioethers

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Transition-metal-catalyzed C–S cross-coupling reactions comprise one of the most efficient methods for the synthesis of biologically and synthetically important aryl sulfide derivatives. Among the various solvents used in this cross-coupling reaction (ionic liquids, water, organic, and aqueous biphasic solvents), neat water have attracted notable interest in recent years due to its properties such as non-toxicity, non-flammability, renewability, and widely availability compared with other solvents. Since several catalytic systems for this green synthesis of aryl sulfides have been reported from 2007 to present, a comprehensive review on this interesting field seems to be timely. In this study, we discuss the most representative and interesting reports on the synthesis of aryl sulfides via metal-catalyzed cross-coupling of thiols with aryl halides in water. Mechanistic aspects of the reactions are considered and discussed in detail.