Formation of Enol Ethers by Radical Decarboxylation of α-Alkoxy ß-Phenylthio Acids.

Enol ethers are formed by radical decarboxylation of α-alkoxy ß-phenylthio acids via the corresponding Barton esters. The phenylthio acids were usually made by the known regioselective reaction of α,ß-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,ß-unsaturated ethoxymethyl ester was used.