Organocatalytic Asymmetric CS Bond Formation: Synthesis of α‐Methylene‐β‐mercapto Esters with Simple Alkyl Thiols

Abstract A highly efficient organocatalytic enantioselective CS bond formation reaction between simple alkyl thiols and Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) carbonates is described. The optically active α ‐ methylene β ‐ mercapto esters could be obtained under mild reaction conditions with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee ). The broad scope and simple operation make this methodology very practical.