Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of benzyl thioacetates and aryl halides

A method for preparing benzyl aryl thioethers utilizing an in situ deprotection of benzyl thioacetates as an alternative to free thiols as starting materials has been developed and optimized. Good to excellent yields of diverse benzyl aryl thioethers are obtained with air-stable, odor-free, and easy to prepare thioesters. A one-pot protocol for forming benzyl aryl thioethers from a benzyl halide, potassium thioacetate, and an aryl bromide has also been demonstrated.