Formation of Enol Ethersby Radical Decarboxylationof α‑Alkoxy β‑Phenylthio Acids

Enol ethers are formed by radical decarboxylation of α-alkoxy β-phenylthio acids via the corresponding Barton esters. The phenylthio acids were usually made by the known regioselective reaction of α,β-epoxy acids with PhSH in the presence of InCl3, followed by O-alkylation of the resulting alcohol. In one case, thiol addition to an α,β-unsaturated ethoxymethyl ester was used.