Synthesis of vinyl sulfides via hydrothiolation of alkynes using Al2O3/KF under solvent-free conditions

We present here a clean, solvent-free hydrothiolation of alkynes using solid supported catalyst (Al₂O₃/KF). This efficient and improved method selectively furnishes the corresponding anti-Markovnikov vinyl sulfides in good to excellent yields. The method is applicable for aliphatic and aromatic thiols and the catalytic system can be re-used up to two times without previous treatment and with comparable activity.