Phosphine-Mediated Decarboxylative C(sp3)–S Cross-Coupling of Aliphatic Carboxylic Acids Using Diaryl Disulfides as Bifunctional Reagents

Abstract

Herein, we report a phosphine-mediated decarboxylative thioetherification of aliphatic carboxylic acids. This method uses odorless diaryl disulfides as bifunctional reagents, activating aliphatic carboxylic acid substrates and providing a sulfur source. This strategy features mild conditions, is free of transition metals and photocatalysts, tolerates diverse functional groups, and enables the late-stage modification of bioactive molecules. Furthermore, mechanistic studies support a radical pathway involving thioester and NHPI ester intermediates.