Iron-Catalyzed Thiocyclization for the Synthesis of Trifluoromethylated Benzothiophenes by C-H Functionalization of Aryl Disulfides.

An iron-catalyzed thiocyclization of propynols with aryl disulfides has been developed for the synthesis of trifluoromethylated benzothiophenes. The one-pot tandem reaction involves Meyer-Schuster rearrangement of propynols and radical cyclization through C-H functionalization of aryl disulfides. A variety of 2-trifluoroacyl benzothiophenes were prepared in moderate to good yields with good functional-group tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]