Catalyst-free direct decarboxylative coupling of α-keto acids with thiols: a facile access to thioesters

A novel, efficient, and catalyst-free strategy has been initially developed for the construction of thioesters via the direct radical oxidative decarboxylation of alpha-keto acids with thiols, and the corresponding target products were obtained in moderate to good yields. It offers an alternative approach for the synthesis of useful diverse thioesters.