Oxidative β-Csp3−H Functionalization of tBuOH: A Selective Radical/Radical Cross-Coupling Access to β-Hydroxy Thioethers.

An oxidative β-Csp3−H functionalization of tert-butanol ( tBuOH) for the construction of C−S bonds through an iodine-catalyzed Csp3−H/S−H coupling was successfully achieved. Different kinds of mercaptans were shown to be good coupling partners, affording the desired products in good yields. This protocol not only offers a novel method for the synthesis of β-hydroxy thioethers, but also provides an effective strategy for selective radical/radical cross-coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]