Two expedient ‘one-pot’ methods for synthesis of β-aryl-β-mercaptoketones over anhydrous potassium carbonate or amberlyst-15 catalyst

Abstract

Two expedient one-pot methods have been developed for synthesis of β-aryl-β-mercaptoketones using acetophenones, benzaldehydes and thiols as starting materials. The methods involve microwave irradiation (5 min) of 1:1 mixtures of acetophenones and benzaldehydes over neutral alumina supported anhydrous potassium carbonate or amberlyst-15 in the first step, and that is followed by addition of thiol to the resulting material and keeping at room temperature for 1.5 h. Anhydrous potassium carbonate and amberlyst-15 are found to be efficient catalysts for the synthesis of β-aryl-β-mercaptoketones from acetophenones, benzaldehydes and thiols under solvent-free conditions. The experimental procedure is simple, involves shorter reaction times and results in good to excellent yield of the products.