Palladium-catalyzed S-benzylation of unprotected mercaptobenzoic acid with benzyl alcohols in water.

Palladium-catalyzed S-benzylation of unprotected mercaptobenzoic acids with benzyl alcohols gave only S-benzylated mercaptobenzoic acids in good yields. Water may play an important role for the smooth generation of the (η(3)-benzyl)palladium species by activation of the hydroxyl group of the benzyl alcohol.