Eschenmoser sulfide contraction

The Eschenmoser sulfide contraction is an organic reaction first described by Albert Eschenmoser for the synthesis of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds from a thioester. The method requires a base and a tertiary phosphine. The method is of some relevance to organic chemistry and has been notably applied in the vitamin B₁₂ total synthesis.

A base abstracts the labile hydrogen atom in the thioester, a sulfide anion is formed through an episulfide intermediate which is removed by the phosphine.

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