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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
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Synthesis of a Borylated Ibuprofen Derivative Through Suzuki Cross-Coupling and Alkene Boracarboxylation Reactions
Published on: November 30, 2022
Copper-mediated arylation of thioethers with boronic acids
Ao Wen1, Baobao Su1, Siyuan Wang1
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China. liub@ujs.edu.cn.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|June 17, 2026
Summary
A new copper-catalyzed reaction efficiently synthesizes aryl sulfonium salts from thioethers and boronic acids. This method allows for late-stage drug modification and yields materials suitable for photoacid generator applications.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Sulfonium salts are valuable synthetic intermediates.
- Developing efficient synthetic routes for functionalized sulfonium salts is crucial.
- Applications in photoacid generators require specific photophysical and thermal properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel copper-mediated Chan-Lam coupling reaction.
- To synthesize aryl sulfonium salts efficiently.
- To explore the properties of the synthesized sulfonium salts for photoacid generator applications.
Main Methods:
- Copper-catalyzed Chan-Lam coupling reaction.
- Reaction between thioethers and boronic acids.
- Characterization of synthesized aryl sulfonium salts.
Main Results:
- Efficient synthesis of aryl sulfonium salts achieved.
- The reaction demonstrated high functional group tolerance, including free amino and hydroxy groups.
- Late-stage functionalization of complex drug molecules was successful.
- Synthesized sulfonium salts exhibited tunable UV absorption and thermal stability.
Conclusions:
- The developed copper-mediated Chan-Lam coupling is an effective method for aryl sulfonium salt synthesis.
- The strategy is suitable for late-stage functionalization of complex molecules.
- The synthesized sulfonium salts show promise for photoacid generator applications.
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