An Efficient Copper‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reaction of Thiols with Aryl Iodides

Commercially available Cu 2 O powder is a very reactive catalyst for the coupling of thiols to aryl iodides. A variety of functional groups including esters, unprotected amines, alcohols, and heterocycles tolerate the reaction conditions. Moreover, di‐ ortho ‐substituted aryl iodides with sterically demanding substrates were also coupled to give the desired aryl thioethers in good to excellent yields.