BF3–Et2O Promoted Heteronucleophilic Addition Reactions for the Synthesis of Unsymmetrical gem-Diarylmethyl Thioethers

Herein,we present the BF3/BF4 (-) mediatedactivation of diphenyl phosphite for the formation of thioniumions from aldehydes and thiophenols. These reactive species subsequentlyundergo reaction with in situ generated phenol, resultingin the synthesis of diarylmethyl thioethers. It was demonstrated thatthe addition of external phenol in the reaction produced unsymmetrical gem-diarylmethyl thioethers in good yields.