Cobalt-catalyzed acylation-reactions of (hetero)arylzinc pivalates with thiopyridyl ester derivatives.

A cobalt-catalyzed acylation reaction of various primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl, benzyl and (hetero)aryl S-pyridyl thioesters with (hetero)arylzinc pivalates is reported. The thioesters were prepared directly from the corresponding carboxylic acids under mild conditions, thus tolerating sensitive functional groups. Acylations of α-chiral S-pyridyl esters proceeded with very high stereoretention leading to optically enriched α-chiral ketones.