direct c-s bond formation by an ultra-efficient and reusable nano-bio catalyst in aqueous media

Various biologically active compounds certainly include aryl sulfides groups with broad-spectrum therapeutic activities for the treatment of some diseases including the human immunodeficiency viruses and immune diseases [1]. moreover, aryl sulfides could easily change into other useful building blocks such as sulfoniums, sulfones, or sulfoxides [2]. traditionally, metal-catalyzed the synthesis of aryl sulfides were prepared by coupling of the aryl halides, [3] phenolic esters, [4] aryl boronic acid [5] triphenyltin chloride [6] and nitroarenes [7] with thiols. other methods comprise the cross-coupling of diaryl disulfides with aryl halides in the presence of rhodium, copper and nickel [8]. all mentioned methods have some problems such as; high prices of metals, low yields, harsh condition or long reaction time.herein, a highly active and stable cobalt nano-catalyst was prepared and characterized. initially, a novel nano bio catalyst was successfully prepared, then was functionalized by designed ligands and finally co2+ immobilized on acceptor bed by a simple method for the first time. the nano-catalyst showed great activities in c-s bond formation reaction. extraordinary simplicity, mild reaction condition, excellent yields were some advantages of this protocol. more importantly, this catalytic system is capable to use for the gram-scale synthesis of the desired products (figure 1).