Rhodium-Catalyzed Cleavage Reaction of Aryl Methyl Ethers with Thioesters

A rhodium complex catalyzed the reaction of aryl methyl ethers and thioesters giving the corresponding aryl esters and methyl sulfides. S-(p-Chlorophenyl) p-(dimethylamino)benzothioate was used for the reaction of methyl aryl ethers with electron-withdrawing groups, and an S-(p-tolyl) derivative was used for those with electron-donating groups. Polymethoxybenzenes were converted to the esters in a regioselective manner.