Divergent Synthesis of Disulfanes and Benzenesulfonothioates Bearing 2-Aminofurans From N-Tosylhydrazone-Bearing Thiocarbamates

An efficient and convenient synthesis of valuable disulfanes and benzenesulfonothioates, having a 2-aminofuran framework, has been developed by employing a copper-catalyzed transformation of readily available N-tosylhydrazone-bearing thiocarbamates. This method features an inexpensive metal catalyst, mild reaction conditions, good functional-group tolerance, short reaction times, and delivers valuable and complex products. A copper carbene generated from an N-tosylhydrazone-bearing thiocarbamate is proposed as the key intermediate for the transformation and it triggers the subsequent cascade. Remarkably, the Ts anion released from N-tosylhydrazone further serves as a nucleophile, thus rendering the formation of benzenesulfonothioates under controlled conditions.