Synthesis of thioesters through copper-catalyzed coupling of aldehydes with thiols in water

Copper-catalyzed C-S bond formation between aldehydes and thiols in the presence of TBHP as an oxidant is described. Functional groups including chloro, trifluoromethyl, bromo, iodo, nitrile, ester and thiophene are all tolerated by the reaction conditions employed. This reaction is performed in water without the use of a surfactant. Both aryl and alkyl aldehydes couple suitably with aryl- and alkyl thiols, affording the corresponding thioesters in moderate to good yields.