Synthesis of Vinyl Sulfides and Vinylamines through Catalytic Intramolecular Hydroarylation in the Presence of FeCl 3 and AgOTf

A synthetic method was developed for the preparation of vinyl sulfides and vinylamines from arylalkynyl phenyl sulfides and sulfonamides. Under mild conditions, a catalytic intramolecular hydroarylation reaction was carried out in the presence of FeCl 3 and AgOTf (OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate) in 1,2‐dichloroethane. A variety of 1,2‐dihydronaphthalenes, 2 H ‐chromenes, and 1,2‐dihydroquinolines containing a phenylsulfenyl or N ‐phenyl‐ N ‐tosyl group on the sp 2 ‐hybridized benzylic carbon were prepared in good to excellent yields. The present method could be extended to the preparation of dihydropyrano[2,3‐ g ]chromenes through a twofold Fe‐catalyzed hydroarylation by a selective 6‐ endo mode.