A novel ketone synthesis by a palladium-catalyzed reaction of thiol esters and organozinc reagents

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(98)00456-0

A variety of ketones have been prepared by a palladium-catalyzed reaction of ethanethiol esters with organozinc reagents. Various functional groups, including esters, ketones, aromatic halides and aldehydes, tolerate the reaction conditions. The reaction can also be applied to the synthesis of α-amino ketones using the corresponding L-α-amino thiol esters without racemization.