Metal-Free Synthetic Strategy for the Construction of β-Arylthio-γ-butyrolactones.

γ-Butyrolactone (GBL) is an important structural motif commonly found in a wide range of natural products, bioactive molecules, agrochemicals, and fragrance compounds. In this study, a Lewis acid-assisted approach was developed to prepare β-arylthio-γ-butyrolactone skeletons using benzenesulfonyl chloride as a sulfur source. This approach requires no transition metal catalysts and provides several advantages, including mild reaction conditions, broad substrate scope, and good functional group compatibility.