Palladium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Methylthiolation of Aromatic Carboxylic Acids by Using DMSO as the Sulfurizing Reagent

By using simple and readily available DMSO as a convenient and environmentally friendly source of sulfur, a practical approach for the Pd‐catalyzed decarboxylative methylthiolation of 2‐nitrobenzoic acids was developed. A range of substituents on the aryl group of the ortho‐nitrobenzoic acid were compatible with this process. Aryl methyl thioethers are synthesized by the Pd‐catalyzed decarboxylation of aromatic carboxylic acids with DMSO. Simple and readily available starting materials, excellent functional group tolerance, high selectivities, and moderate to good yields provide this efficient and practical protocol with a broad utility in organic synthesis.