Palladium-catalyzed S-benzylation of unprotected mercaptobenzoic acid with benzyl alcohols in water

Palladium-catalyzed S-benzylation of unprotected mercaptobenzoic acids with benzyl alcohols gave only S-benzylated mercaptobenzoic acids in good yields. Water may play an important role for the smooth generation of the (eta(3)-benzyl) palladium species by activation of the hydroxyl group of the benzyl alcohol.