Synthesis of Difluoromethylthioesters from Aldehydes.

Difluoromethylthioester compounds are yet another important kind of organofluorine compound and are reported here for the first time. They can be efficiently synthesized from various aldehydes. The synthetic method features mild reaction conditions, good tolerance of functional groups, broad substrate scope, and importantly, no metal is involved in the reaction. The approach has the potential to become an important tool for the late-stage functionalization of advanced synthetic intermediates, and should have many applications in medicinal chemistry.