Synlett 2008(15): 2317-2320  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1078267
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Efficient Condensation between Glyoxal Hydrates and Sulfonium Salts Leading to Highly Functionalized 1,4-Diketones

Qiyun Shao, Chunbao Li*
Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. of China
Fax: +86(22)27403475; e-Mail: lichunbao@tju.edu.cn;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 4 May 2008
Publication Date:
21 August 2008 (online)

Abstract

α-Alkylthio-substituted α,β-unsaturated 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds with three different functionalities are easily available through condensation of sulfonium salts and various aromatic or aliphatic glyoxal hydrates catalyzed by Na2SeO3 or a combination of selenium dioxide and Na2CO3.

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Typical Procedure for Preparing Compound 3
A mixture of 1a (152 mg, 1.0 mmol), 2a (261 mg, 1.0 mmol), SeO2 (4.4 mg, 0.04 mmol), and Na2CO3 (10.6 mg, 0.1 mmol) in MeCN (10 mL) was stirred for 4.5 h at r.t. After complete consumption of starting material (TLC), MeCN was removed in vacuum to give yellow syrup. The residue was extracted with CH2Cl2 (2 × 30 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (10 mL) and dried over anhyd Na2SO4. The extracts were then concentrated under reduced pressure, and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: PE-EtOAc) on SiO2 to give an 81% yield of 3a [(Z)-3a, 129 mg; (E)-3a, 100 mg].
Compound (Z)-3a: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.08 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2 H), 7.95 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2 H), 7.69-7.44 (m, 6 H), 7.10 (s, 1 H), 2.17 (s, 3 H). ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 191.9, 188.2, 160.6, 137.8, 134.9, 134.8, 132.7, 130.0, 129.1, 128.6, 128.1, 116.0, 15.4. IR (KBr): ν = 2926, 1670, 1635, 1596, 1537, 1246, 1023, 699 cm.
Compound (E)-3a: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.00 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2 H), 7.89 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2 H), 7.57-7.43 (m, 6 H), 7.04 (s, 1 H), 2.45 (s, 3 H). ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 193.7, 185.1, 160.8, 137.2, 134.9, 133.6, 133.0, 128.8, 128.7, 128.6, 128.4, 115.8, 14.9. IR (KBr): ν = 3413, 1674, 1637, 1540, 1220, 781, 703, 632 cm. Spectral data were in agreement with those previously reported.³