Ultrasound-enhanced Ag-catalyzed decarboxylative coupling between α-keto acids and disulfides for the synthesis of thioesters.

Herein, we described the ultrasound-assisted synthesis of thioesters via the Ag-catalyzed radical oxidative decarboxylation of α-keto acids, in the presence of disulfides. This protocol takes advantage of the sonication to prepare the title compounds in moderate to very good yields, in only 20 min of reaction. The positive effect of ultrasonic irradiation is attributed to both, the high mass transfer efficiency and to the induced radical formation in the reaction medium.