Synthesis of Alkynyl Sulfides: Alkynyl Trifluoromethyl Sulfides and Thiocyanates

Sulfur‐containing alkynes, are important starting materials and intermediates in organic reactions. Some of sulfur‐containing alkynes display interesting bioactivities and are potentially applied as drugs. Various synthetic methodologies towards sulfur‐containing alkynes have been developed, including C(sp)−S coupling, thiolation, S ‐alkynylation, trifluoromethylthiolation, etc. In this review, the approaches towards alkynyl sulfides in recent 3 years, as well as to form alkynyl trifluoromethyl sulfides and alkynylthiocyanates were highlighted. Firstly, the property and application of alkynes were introduced. After presenting the superiority of sulfur‐containing alkynes, their synthetic methods were classified and presented in details. According to different kinds of sulfur‐containing alkynes, synthetic methodologies for alkynyl sulfides, alkynyl trifluoromethyl sulfides and alkynylthiocyanates were summarized and the proposed reaction mechanisms were demonstrated if available.