1-Arylalkenyl sulfides were produced in good yields by treatment of 1-(phenylthio)vinyl chlorides with arenes in the presence of aluminum chloride or ethylaluminum dichloride. The stereoselectivity indicated that the reaction is kinetically controlled process.
The vinylation of arenes using 1-(phenylthio)vinylstannanes proceeded in the presence of tin(IV) chloride and molecular sieves 4A to afford 1-arylalkenyl sulfides in good yields. The stereochemistry of the olefinic moiety was determined after oxidation to the corresponding sulfones and it was found that the present reaction gave the thermodynamically stable stereoisomers.