Iodide‐Catalyzed Phosphorothiolation of Heteroarenes Using P(O)H Compounds and Elemental Sulfur

Organothiophosphates have found widespread application as biologically active compounds and synthetic intermediates in medicinal chemistry. The first transition‐metal‐free one‐pot direct synthesis of heterocyclic phosphorothioates involving indole or imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine derivatives, elemental sulfur, and P(O)H compounds is presented. The use of NaI or KI as a catalyst, tert ‐butyl hydroperoxide as an oxidant, various indole and imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine derivatives are tolerant in this transformation, affording the corresponding products in good to excellent yields. Moreover, this method can be easily adapted to large‐scale preparation. O,O ‐Diethyl S ‐(1‐phenyl‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl) phosphorothioate presents potent anti‐inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated RAW264.7 cells in a dose‐dependent manner.