Copper−Promoted Dimerization of Benzyl Thiocyanates to Access Functionalized Bibenzyls

Abstract

The synthesis of bibenzyl derivatives holds significance in organic chemistry due to their diverse pharmacological and synthetic applications. Herein, we report a novel copper–promoted dimerization reaction for the efficient synthesis of functionalized bibenzyls from benzyl thiocyanates. The coupling reaction proceeds under aerobic and mild conditions via cascade C–S bond cleavage in one pot. Diverse substituents including electron–withdrawing groups on the aryl ring are well–tolerated to afford the desired products in moderate to good yields. The developed protocol could be utilized to obtain the cross coupling product from two different electron–deficient benzyl thiocyanates.