Solvent-free, B(C6F5)3-Catalyzed S-H Insertion of Thiophenols and Thiols with α-Diazoesters

Described herein is a B(C6F5)(3)-catalyzed S-H insertion reaction of thiophenols and thiols with alpha-diazoesters to access valuable alpha-thioesters. With the established protocol, an array of alpha-thioester products are generated in moderate to good yields with broad scope and functional group tolerance. In addition, this reaction maintains its high efficiency on gram scale and the product can be easily transformed into other useful motifs. This reaction proceeds under solvent-free conditions at room temperature, and generally finishes in twenty minutes upon magnet stirring, which offers an expedient way for synthesis of thioether-containing compounds.

Automated summary

Described herein is a B(C6F5)(3)-catalyzed S-H insertion reaction of thiophenols and thiols with alpha-diazoesters to access valuable alpha-thioesters. The reaction proceeds under solvent-free conditions at room temperature, and offers an expedient way for synthesis of thioether-containing compounds. The established protocol shows broad scope and functional group tolerance, with moderate to good yields of alpha-thioester products.