Copper-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Coupling of Terminal Alkynes with Thiols to Alkynyl Sulfides

A new efficient copper-based catalyst system was developed for highly selective synthesis of various alkynyl sulfides from various thiols and terminal alkynes with O₂ as the sole oxidant under mild conditions.  The method represents a new application of copper catalysis for direct activation of C(sp)-H to construct C-S bond compounds.