Organic base-promoted formal [4+1] cycloaddition of vinylethylene carbonates with elemental sulfur to facile access to thiophenones

Abstract

Thiolphenones are traditionally prepared from pre-functionalized sulfur substrates under metal catalysts, oxidants, strong acids and bases, which behave harsh reaction conditions and low efficiency. Herein, an organic base-promoted 2(5H)-thiophenone construction with cheap and easily available vinylethylene carbonates and elemental sulfur through a novel [4+1] cyclization process was disclosed under mild reaction conditions.