A novel and efficient zinc-catalyzed thioetherification of aryl halides

The first zinc-catalysed protocol for the C–S cross-coupling reaction is reported. Zinc catalysis has an undeniable advantage over other catalytic systems as it is non-toxic, and the catalysts are easily available and cheap, with environmentally benign properties. This novel, efficient, palladium- and triphenylphosphine-free protocol yielded a variety of aryl and alkyl sulfides in moderate to excellent yields.