Rongalite® and base-promoted cleavage of disulfides and subsequent Michael addition to α,β-unsaturated ketones/esters: an odorless synthesis of β-sulfido carbonyl compounds

A highly practical method to access beta-sulfido carbonyl compounds was developed, which could be conducted without any expensive reagent, special apparatus/technique, and no requirement of metal catalysts. beta-Sulfido carbonyl compounds were formed at room temperature, in short time and with high chemoselectivity in good to excellent yields. A plausible mechanism for the role of Rongalite (R), as a promoter for the cleavage of disuffides generating thiolate anions that then undergo facile thia-Michael addition to alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones and esters is proposed. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.