Alkali Metal\nAmide-Catalyzed α‑Deuteration\nof Sulfides

The catalytic α-deuteration of sulfides was developed\nunder\nmild conditions by using alkali metal amides [KN(SiMe<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub> and CsN(SiMe<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>] as the catalyst. This\napproach successfully achieves a selective and efficient H/D exchange\nreaction of sulfides with D<sub>2</sub> without using transition metal\ncatalysts. A series of deuterium-labeled thioanisoles and alkyl methyl\nsulfides were obtained in good to high levels of deuterium incorporation.