A DTBP-promoted C–H thiolation of aldehydes with disulfides under metal-free and solvent-free conditions is described. The system shows good functional group tolerance to afford thioesters in moderate to excellent yields.
Unique tunable aryl imidazolium ionic liquids successfully catalyzed Friedel–Crafts acylation and thioesterification in sealed tubes. These reactions can form a C−C bond and a C−S bond with high atom economy. Ionic liquids exhibited high activity and catalyzed essential reactions with good to excellent yields while retaining their catalytic activities for recycling.