Efficient preparation of S-aryl thioacetates from aryl halides and potassium thioacetate

A method for the preparation of S-aryl thioacetates using palladium-mediated couplings of aryl bromides and aryl triflates with potassium thioacetate as an inexpensive thiol source was developed. Electron withdrawing groups, electron donating groups and heterocyclic substrates were tolerated in the reaction conditions, affording the corresponding products in good to excellent yields. This method was applied to the preparation of novel sulfone-containing DPP-IV inhibitors.