Synthesis of 2-(-Trifluoromethyl--arylethylthio)pyridine through DBU-Mediated Regioselective Addition of Pyridine-2(1H)-thione Onto -(Trifluoromethyl)styrenes

An efficient and practical method for the synthesis of (beta- trifluoromethyl-beta-aryl)ethyl 2-pyridyl thioethers via hydrothiolation of alpha-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes with pyridine-2(1H)-thione was reported. The reaction proceeded smoothly and regiose lectively in an anti-Markovnikov manner with the assistance of DBU and afforded a variety of trifluoromethyl-containing 2pyridyl thioethers in moderate to good yields.