PIII/PV═O Redox Catalysis Mediated Thioesterification of Carboxylic Acids with Disulfides under Air Conditions

Abstract

An efficient organophosphorus-catalyzed thiocarbonylation reaction of disulfides with carboxylic acids under air conditions was described. Various functional groups on carboxylic acids and disulfides can be tolerated under the present reaction conditions, affording thioesters in good to excellent yields. This method exhibited excellent chemoselectivity and can be applied for the late-stage functionalization of drug molecules containing a carboxylic acid group.