SHORTPAPER	Synthesis 2003: 1875-1877 DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-40981
© Georg ThiemeVerlag Stuttgart · New York
N-Bromosuccinimideand Iodine Catalyzed Highly Efficient Deoxygenation ofSulfoxides to Thioethers Using 3-Mercaptopropionic Acid under Mild ReactionConditions
Babak Karimi*, Daryoush Zareyee
Department of Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), P.O. Box 45195-159,GavaZang, Zanjan, Iran Fax: +98(241)4249023; e-Mail: karimi@iasbs.ac.ir;
Received 12 March 2003

Abstract

A variety of alkyl and aryl sulfoxides have been successfullydeoxygenated using 3-mercaptopropionic acid as a reducing agentand a catalytic amount of either NBS or I₂ (5-10mol%) in MeCN at ambient temperature. Under the describedreaction condition, acid sensitive substrates such as acetals remainedintact after several hours.

Key words

sulfoxides - deoxygenation - thioether - catalysis