A procedure for the oxidative synthesis of β-hydroxysulfides is reported, in which thiophenols or diaryl disulfides are reacted with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). In the presence of zinc iodide or potassium iodide, with TBHP as the oxidant and pre-reactant, thiophenols and diaryl disulfides react with the methyl group of tBuOH smoothly and selectivity to give the corresponding 2-methyl-1-(arylthio)propan-2-ols as the terminal products in moderate to good yields.
