Photoinduced formation of cubyl aryl thioethers and synthesis of monocubyl analogue of dapsone

1,4-Disubstituted cubyl aryl thioethers were generated from the corresponding iodocubanes and aryl thiolates upon UV irradiation in dimethyl sulfoxide at room temperature. This simple procedure was found to be compatible with a variety of substituted aryl thiolates. This finding paved the way to a synthesis of the monocubyl analogue of dapsone, a key molecule in the treatment of leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, and of acne.