Herein, we report a practical synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted thiophenes. The protocol
features an initial base-promoted Michael addition of 4-methoxybenzyl mercaptan to
β-nitro-β,γ-unsaturated ketones, followed by an acid-mediated cyclization of the resulting
adducts. This one-pot procedure affords the desired thiophene derivatives in good
overall yields.
Keywords
Thiophene - Nitroalkenes - Conjugate addition - Cyclization - Aromatization