A transition-metal-free decarboxylative thiolation protocol is reported in which primary, secondary, tertiary (hetero)aryl acetates and α-CN substituted acetates undergo the decarboxylative thiolation smoothly, to deliver a variety of functionalized aryl alkyl sulfides in moderate to excellent yields. Aryl diselenides are also amenable substrates for construction of C–Se bonds under the simple and mild reaction conditions. Moreover, the protocol is successfully applied to the late-stage modification of pharmaceutical carboxylates with satisfactory chemoselectivity and functional-group compatibility.