A new convenient preparation of thiol esters utilizing N-acylbenzotriazoles

Diverse thiol esters were synthesized in good to excellent yields (76-99%) by reactions of thiophenol, benzyl mercaptan, ethyl mercaptoacetate, and mercaptoacetic acid with N-acylbenzotriazoles under mild conditions. These results demonstrate the utility of N-acylbenzotriazoles as mild S-acylating agents, especially when the corresponding acid chlorides are not readily available.