Reduction of Aryl Thiocyanates with SmI₂ and Pd-Catalyzed Coupling with Aryl Halides as a Route to Mixed Aryl Sulfides

A series of aryl iodides, with a range of substituents, has been successfully coupled using 10 mol % Pd catalyst with samarium thiolates, derived from the corresponding aryl thiocyanates upon reductive cleavage with SmI(2). Reactions proceed in THF at 65 degrees C in yields ranging from good to excellent and are compatible with both electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents, except NO(2). The reactions may also be conducted with aryl bromides although with somewhat lower yields.