Work

Visible-Light-Induced Carbonylative Synthesis of Aliphatic Thioesters

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study presents a visible-light-induced metal-free catalytic carbonylation method for the synthesis of alkyl thioesters. Utilizing Hantzsch esters as alkyl radical precursors, the method selectively captures aryl sulfonates from thiosulfonates via acyl radical intermediates in the presence of carbon monoxide, efficiently constructing alkyl thioesters. The reaction system is characterized by its mildness, which leads to the production of a range of thioester products in high yields with excellent functional group tolerance. Thiosulfonates, classified as bifunctional reagents, serve a dual role in this process. First, they function as a source of sulfur. Second, the arylsulfonyl radicals generate act as endogenous oxidants, thereby maintaining the reaction cycle.

Source: Organic Letters

DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.6c00753

Authors: Ren-Guan Miao, Ru-Han A, Xiao-Feng Wu

Institutions: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Leibniz Institute for Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy

Language: English

Topic: Radical Photochemical Reactions

Subfield: Organic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Key Research and Development Program of China