Copper(I)-Catalyzed Multicomponent Reaction Providing a New Access to Fully Substituted Thiophene Derivatives

Readily available triethylammonium 1-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-2-aroylethanethiolates are efficiently converted into a variety of fully substituted thiophene derivatives by copper­(I)-catalyzed denitrogenative reactions with terminal alkynes and N-sulfonyl azides. This new reaction simultaneously installs C–N, C–S, and C–C bonds, allowing direct formation of highly functionalized thiophenes with a wide diversity in substituents in a one-pot manner. A plausible mechanism for the domino process is proposed.