Oxidative Thioesterification of Alkenes Mediated by 1,3‐Dibromo‐5,5‐dimethylhydantoin and DMSO for the Synthesis of α‐Ketothioesters

A simple and mild approach for the synthesis of α‐ketothioesters via 1,3‐Dibromo‐5,5‐dimethylhydantoin (DBH)/DMSO mediated oxidative thioesterification of alkenes has been developed. Various of α‐ketothioesters products were produced in moderate to good yields under metal‐free conditions. And this method features readily available starting materials and broad substrate scope. Moreover, a plausible mechanism was proposed based on the methyl bromide captured experiment. A simple and mild approach for the synthesis of α‐ketothioesters proceeds through an oxidative thioesterification of alkenes and DMSO in the presence of 1,3‐dibromo‐5,5‐dimethylhydantoin (DBH).