The reaction of 1- and 2-naphthols 1 and 2 with a variety of thiols 3 in the presence of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid afforded naphthyl alkyl and aryl sulfides 4 and 5, respectively, in good yields. Similarly naphthyl bis(alkyl) or bis(aryl) sulfides 10-13 were prepared from the corresponding dihydroynaphthalenes 6-9.
A nickel-catalyzed decarbonylation or decarbonylation accompanied by decarboxylation cross-coupling reaction of aryl anhydrides with thiophenols as coupling partners was disclosed. This method is promoted by a commercially available, moisture-stable, and inexpensive nickel(II) precatalyst. The process can tolerate a variety of functional groups using ubiquitous aryl anhydrides as cross-coupling precursors