Nucleophilic Trifluoromethylthiolation of Alkyl Chlorides, Bromides and Tosylates.

A direct nucleophilic trifluoromethylthiolation of alkyl chlorides, bromides and tosylates with AgSCF3 was described. It was found that the presence of nBu4NI or a combination of nBu4NI/nBu4NBr significantly enhanced the reaction rates. The reaction conditions were mild, thus allowing the tolerance of a variety of functional groups.