Unusual Cleavage of Ethers by Thiophenol on the Surface of Silica Gel Impregnated with Indium(III) Chloride under Microwave Irradiation: Efficient Procedure for the Synthesis of Thioethers through Transthioetherification

Cyclic and open-chain benzylic ethers undergo cleavage by thiophenol on the surface of silica gel impregnated with indium(III) chloride under microwave irradiation to produce the corresponding di- and monothioethers.