Zinc-Mediated Facile and Efficient Chemoselective S-Alkylation of 5-Aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiols in the Absence of Base

Zinc-mediated facile and efficient chemoselective S-alkylation of 5-aryl 1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiols in the presence of a catalytic amount of tetra butyl ammonium iodide was described. The reaction was performed under neutral conditions. The chemoselectivity of the alkylation was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy and x-ray crystallography.