Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Carboxylic Acids with Disulfides to Access Thioesters

A nickel-catalyzed reductive cross coupling reaction of carboxylic acids with disulfides is described. The readily available and inexpensive carboxylic acid is activated in situ by the formation of a mixed anhydride. The transformation occurs at room temperature with wide functional group tolerance to efficiently generate structurally diverse thioesters. Moreover, the reaction tolerated a broad substrate scope, including sterically hindered of disulfides. Ultimately, this powerful method could be applied to the late-stage functionalization for the construction of diverse thioesters, affording a convenient and practical tactic to construct carbon-sulfur bonds. +image

Automated summary

This nickel-catalyzed reductive cross coupling reaction allows for the efficient generation of structurally diverse thioesters by activating carboxylic acids with disulfides. The reaction demonstrates broad substrate scope and wide functional group tolerance, making it a convenient and practical tactic for constructing carbon-sulfur bonds.