The present invention provides, in part, di-thioester cationic lipid compounds or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds provided herein can be useful for delivery and expression of mRNA and encoded protein, e.g., as a component of liposomal delivery vehicle, and accordingly can be useful for treating various diseases, disorders and conditions, such as those associated with deficiency of one or more proteins.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for producing carboxylic acid thioester, comprising reacting a compound represented by the following formula (I), carboxylic acid and thiol in the presence of a catalyst including at least one Group 2 metal compound. The production method is a production method which is simple in reaction operation, which places a small load on the environment and the human body and which enables carboxylic acid thioester to be catalytically obtained at a high yield even at a normal temperature and a normal pressure (25 C., 1 atm). In the formula (I), R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represent a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. ##STR00001##

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for producing carboxylic acid thioester, comprising reacting a compound represented by the following formula (I), carboxylic acid and thiol in the presence of a catalyst including at least one Group 2 metal compound. The production method is a production method which is simple in reaction operation, which places a small load on the environment and the human body and which enables carboxylic acid thioester to be catalytically obtained at a high yield even at a normal temperature and a normal pressure (25 C., 1 atm). In the formula (I), R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represent a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. ##STR00001##

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for producing carboxylic acid thioester, comprising reacting a compound represented by the following formula (I), carboxylic acid and thiol in the presence of a catalyst including at least one Group 2 metal compound. The production method is a production method which is simple in reaction operation, which places a small load on the environment and the human body and which enables carboxylic acid thioester to be catalytically obtained at a high yield even at a normal temperature and a normal pressure (25 C., 1 atm). In the formula (I), R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represent a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

##STR00001##

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for producing carboxylic acid thioester, comprising reacting a compound represented by the following formula (I), carboxylic acid and thiol in the presence of a catalyst including at least one Group 2 metal compound. The production method is a production method which is simple in reaction operation, which places a small load on the environment and the human body and which enables carboxylic acid thioester to be catalytically obtained at a high yield even at a normal temperature and a normal pressure (25 C., 1 atm). In the formula (I), R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represent a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

##STR00001##

The present invention provides, in part, di-thioester cationic lipid compounds or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds provided herein can be useful for delivery and expression of mRNA and encoded protein, e.g., as a component of liposomal delivery vehicle, and accordingly can be useful for treating various diseases, disorders and conditions, such as those associated with deficiency of one or more proteins.