Thiol-ene reaction

In organosulfur chemistry, the thiol-ene reaction (also alkene hydrothiolation) is an organic reaction between a thiol (R−SH) and an alkene (R₂C=CR₂) to form a thioether (R−S−R'). This reaction was first reported in 1905, but it gained prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s for its feasibility and wide range of applications. This reaction is accepted as a click chemistry reaction given the reactions' high yield, stereoselectivity, high rate, and thermodynamic driving force.

The reaction results in an anti-Markovnikov addition of a thiol compound to an alkene. Given the stereoselectivity, high rate and yields, this synthetically useful reaction may underpin future applications in material and biomedical sciences.