An Efficient Ni(II) Laurate Promoted Heterocyclization of Symmetrical Thioureas with Maleic Anhydride and Mechanistic Approach toward Higher Substituted Thiazolidine‐4‐one‐5‐acetic Acids

Abstract

AbstractFor the first time, readily available Ni(II) laurate catalyzed thia‐Michael addition of symmetrical N,N‐disubstituted thioureas to maleic anhydride and subsequent cyclization in toluene afforded novel thiazolidine‐4‐one‐5‐acetic acids with good yields in a short reaction time. The efficiency and low cost of the renewable, eco‐friendly laurate based homogenous Lewis acid catalyst and the fact that cyclization proceeds in a much shorter time means that this synthetic method is interesting from a green chemistry point of view. The catalyst can be reused for many times without any significant loss of activity.