TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an atom efficient methodology to prepare ot- sulfenylated carbonyl compounds from propargylic alcohols and thiols by means of transition metal catalysis

BACKGROUND

Alfa sulfenylated carbonyl compounds are a group of compounds many of which are the active substances in pharmaceutical compositions. The problem with these compounds is the synthetic procedure which could both involve toxic substances and multiple steps. Synthetic procedures attempting to avoid these drawbacks usually fail to present high yields of the wanted product or produce a variety of by- products.

The traditional synthesis of α-sulfenylated carbonyl compounds involves

substitution of the corresponding α-halogenated intermediate by sulphide anions. These toxic and difficult to handle a-halogenated carbonyl intermediates are synthesized in advance and the synthesis associated with the generation of stoichiometric amounts of chemical waste both in the preparation of the a- halogenated carbonyl compounds and in the subsequent substitution reaction to generate the a-sulfenylated carbonyl product. Alternatively, the a-sulfenylated carbonyl compound can be synthesized by the reaction of a parent carbonyl compound or preformed enolate with sulfenylating agents such as disulfides, N-(phenylsulfanyl)succinimides, or sulfenyl chlorides). However, these reactions require an additional synthetic step in the preparation of the sulfenylating agent and also lead to the formation of a stoichiometric amount of waste in the carbon sulphur bond forming reaction. Asymmetric versions of such stoichiometric electrophilic a-sulfenylations have been reported using a chiral auxiliary, an organocatalyst or chiral complexes of titanium (IV) or nickel(II).

It is known that transition metals catalyze a number of chemical reactions. For example, Weng- Jing Xiao et al. , J Organic Chemistry, 2005, 70, 1802- 1807, uses palladium for carbonylation of propargylic mesylates using thiols and carbon monoxide to produce thioesters.

The present invention solves the problem with the traditional synthesis and the synthetic procedures suggested by prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a method to generate a-sulfenylated carbonyl compounds starting from a primary or secondary propargylic alcohol and a thiol with up to 100% atom efficiency. To the knowledge of the present inventors this has never before been presented.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of preparing an a- sulfenylated carbonyl compound comprising providing reactants comprising a primary or a secondary propargylic alcohol, a thiol, a transition metal catalyst and a solvent and allowing the reactants to react.

Preferred embodiments of the above mentioned aspects are described below, all the embodiments below should be understood to refer to the aspects described above.

In one embodiment the method is performed in one step.

In one embodiment the propargylic alcohol is a primary alcohol. In another embodiment the propargylic alcohol is a secondary alcohol.

In another embodiment the solvent is selected from dichloroethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, water, or dichloromethane or mixtures thereof. In another embodiment the reaction is conducted at a temperature of at least 25°C, preferably 50- 100 °C. In another embodiment the catalyst comprises gold, copper, palladium or platinum or comprises a mixture of transition metal catalysts such as gold and palladium catalysts, or copper and palladium catalysts, or platinum and palladium catalysts. In another embodiment the thiol is an aryl thiol.

In another embodiment the thiol is an alkyl thiol.

In another embodiment the compound is a benzenethiol.

In another embodiment the phenyl group of the propargylic alcohol is substituted in either ortho, meta or para position.

In another embodiment the reaction is conducted using a catalyst comprising gold (I) or gold (III).

In another embodiment the reaction is conducted using a catalyst comprising copper(I). In another embodiment the reaction is conducted using a catalyst comprising platinum (II).

In another embodiment the reaction is conducted using a catalyst comprising gold (I) chloride or gold (III) chloride.

In another embodiment the reaction is conducted using a catalyst comprising copper(I) chloride, copper(I) bromide, copper(I) iodide, copper(I) trifluoroacetate, gold (I) chloride, gold(I)bromide or gold(I)iodide. In another embodiment the reaction is conducted using a catalyst comprising platinum (II) chloride.

In another embodiment the reaction is conducted using a catalyst comprising gold(III) chloride or gold(I) chloride together with an aryl thiol. In another embodiment the reaction is conducted using a catalyst comprising copper(I) chloride, copper(I) bromide, copper(I) iodide or copper(I) trifluoroacetate together with an aryl thiol.

In another embodiment the reaction is conducted using a compound generated from gold(III) chloride or gold(I) chloride together with an aryl thiol.

In another embodiment the reaction is conducted using a compound generated from copper(I) chloride, copper(I) bromide, copper(I) iodide or copper(I)

trifluoroacetate together with an aryl thiol.

In another embodiment the reaction is conducted using a compound generated from platinum (II) chloride together with an aryl thiol.

The present invention could be used to transform alcohols to yield the

corresponding a-sulfenylated carbonyl compounds in good to excellent yield, i.e. 55 to 100% yield. In another embodiment the catalyst is used in 0. 1 - 10 mol%, for example 0. 1 mol% or more, or 0.3 mol% or more, or 0.5 mol% or more, or 0.7 mol% or more, or 1 mol% or more, or 3 mol% or more, or 5 mol% or more, or 7 mol% or more, or 10 mol% or less. A second aspect of the present invention relates to a kit for preparing an a- sulfenylated carbonyl compound comprising a primary or a secondary propargylic alcohol and a thiol, a transition metal catalyst and a solvent.

The preferred embodiments of the second aspect are the same as for the first embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a method where primary and secondary propargylic alcohols are converted into the corresponding α-sulfenylated carbonyl compounds. Scheme 1 discloses a schematic scheme of the traditional synthetic procedure to prepare a-sulfenylated carbonyl compounds consisting of two step procedures here scheme 1 only disclose the last step. These procedures produce chemical waste as side products, M is a metal, X is a halide, and Y is a leaving group.

Scheme 1. The present invention makes the formation of sulfenylated carbonyl compounds easier since preferably the present invention is a one step synthesis where all reactants are added to a flask or a reaction container and no intermediate steps or isolation steps are required to obtain the final product. However, the final product is preferably purified to remove unreacted substances or solvent for example. The reactants, that is the alcohol, thiol and catalyst could also be added continuously or drop wise to the reaction. The reactants and solvent can be mixed by stirring or shaking or any other suitable method.

The present inventors found that by starting with propargylic alcohol, which is commercially available or could be synthesized fairly easy, the a-sulfenylated carbonyl compound is obtainable by simply adding a thiol, an aryl thiol or an alkyl thiol, in the presence of a transition metal catalyst, Scheme 2.

Referring to scheme 2, the alcohol could be a primary, a secondary or a tertiary alcohol, preferably primary or secondary alcohol. In other words I¾ could be hydrogen, but could also be an alkyl group. Ri could be a hydrogen, an alkyl, or an aryl group.

Scheme 2.

As aryl thiol, any aryl thiol could be used for example benzene thiol or substituted benzene thiol for example halogenated benzene thiol or alkyl substituted aryl benzene thiol. The aryl group, in I¾ or in the thiol, may be substituted in ortho, meta or para position.

As alkyl thiol, any alkyl group could be used. For example the alkyl group could be a straight chain of hydrocarbons or it could be branched or substituted. The alkyl group could be a methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl or longer and any conformational isomer. The alkyl could also have a ring structure such as cyclo pentyl or cyclo hexyl. The method of preparing an a-sulfenylated carbonyl compound according to the present invention comprises:

-providing reactants comprising a primary or a secondary propargylic alcohol, a thiol and a transition metal catalyst;

-providing a solvent;

-mixing the reactants and the solvent;

-letting the reactants react.

The reaction is performed using transition metal catalysts (e.g. gold, palladium, platinum, nickel, vanadium, copper and so on), preferably late transition metals catalysts (gold, palladium, platinum and so on), to generate the a-sulfenylated carbonyl compounds in good to excellent yields (55- 100% yield) with no or very little by-products, the remaining is starting reactants. The transition metal catalyst may comprise one or more transition metals or is a mixture of one or more transition metal catalysts. The only observed by-product is thioether in small amounts. The total amount of catalyst should be between 0.1 and 10 mol%, preferably between 1 and 5 mol% for example 1 mol% or more, or 2 mol% or more, or 3 mol% or 5 mol% or less, or 4 mol% or less. In a preferred embodiment, a gold(I) catalyst is used in an amount of 1 to 5 mol%, and in another embodiment a gold(III) catalyst is used in an amount of 1 to 5 mol%. The gold(I) or gold(III) comprising catalyst could also be reacted with an aryl thiol to generate a compound to be used in the synthesis of the a-sulfenylated carbonyl compound. Preferred gold catalysts comprises gold(I) chloride or gold(III) chloride catalyst and could be for example NaAuCLr2H ₂ 0. In another preferred embodiment, a copper(I) catalyst is used in an amount of 1 to 5 mol%. In yet another embodiment a gold (I) chloride catalyst is used together with benzene thiol. As mentioned above the transition metal catalyst may comprise a mixture of transition metals for example gold(I) and palladium(II) and in one embodiment this mixture is used together with an alkylthiol.

The reaction can be performed under mild reaction conditions (25 °C - 100 °C, for example 25°C or more, or 35°C or more, or 55 °C or more or 80°C or less, or 75°C or less, or 65°C or less) by conventional heating or by heating in a microwave oven. In a typical experiment the reaction is conducted between 50 and 100°C. The reaction can be conducted in a solvent selected from but not limited to water,

dichloromethane, dichloroethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride or any other polar solvent or mixtures thereof. Typically the reaction is performed during 10-30 hours such as 24 hours but could continue for 48 hours or a week.

In order to inhibit disulfide formation and other side reactions, the reaction should preferably be conducted in an inert atmosphere. The inert atmosphere may also comprise nitrogen or argon and the reaction could be conducted in a glove box comprising one of said gases. However, the method of the present invention can also be performed in an open atmosphere.

The present invention can for example be used to produce phenyl(4-phenylbut-3- yn-2-yl)sulfane, l-phenyl-2-(phenylthio)hexane-3-one, 4-methyl- l-phenyl-2- (phenylthio)pentane-3-one, 3-(phenylthio)hexane-2-one, phenyl(l,3-diphenylprop-2- ynyl)sulfane, 3-phenyl-2-(phenylthio)propanal, 3-(naphthalene-4-yl)-2- (phenylthio)propanal, 3-(naphthalene-4-yl)-2-(phenylthio)propanal, 2-(4- bromophenylthio)-3-phenylpropanal, 2-(4-chlorophenylthio)-3-phenylpropanal, 2- (4-fluorophenylthio)-3-phenylpropanal, 2-(4-isopropylphenylthio)-3-phenylpropanal and 2 - (4-methoxyphenylthio) -3 -phenylpropanal. The present invention also relates to a kit for preparing an a-sulfenylated carbonyl compound comprising a primary or a secondary propargylic alcohol and a thiol, a transition metal catalyst and a solvent. The thiol could be an aryl thiol or an alkyl thiol. Said components could be arranged in one or more containers, preferably two or three containers and the contents of the containers are then mixed in order to initiate the reaction. The kit should contain at least one transition metal catalyst or a mixture of transition metal catalysts. EXAMPLES

Example 1. Preparation of 4-Phenyl-3-(phenylthio)butane-2-one.

At first, the catalyst NaAuCl4-2H ₂ 0 (8 mg, 2 mol%) was weighed and transferred to a 5 mL microwave vial containing a small magnet in a glove box under nitrogen atmosphere. After that, the cap of the vial was closed tightly and the vial was taken out from the glove-box. 2.5 mL of dry 1 ,2-dichloroethane solvent followed by 4- phenyl-3-butyn-2-ol ( 145 μL, 1 mmol) and benzenethiol ( 154 μL, 1.5 mmol) were added to the vial by syringe and was stirred using a magnetic stirrer at 65 °C for 24 h. After completion of the reaction (by TLC), 1 ,2 dichloroethane was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by silica-gel (100-200 mess) column chromatography using 3% (v/ v) ethyl acetate / pentane solution to afford the desired product as a pale yellow oil (233 mg, 0.91 mmol, 91% yield). Ή NMR (300 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): δ = 2.20 (s, 3 H, H- l), 3.00 (dd, J = 6.9 Hz, 14.4 Hz, 1 H, H-4), 2.68 (dd, J = 8.4 Hz, 14. 1 Hz, 1 H, H-4), 3.90 (dd, J = 6.9 Hz, 8.4 Hz, 1 H, H-3), 7.18-7.37 (m, 10 H, H-arom) ppm. NMR (75 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): 6 = 28. 1 , 36.9, 59.0, 127. 1 , 128.5, 128.8, 129.4, 133.0, 133.3, 138.3, 204.5 ppm.

Example 2. Preparation of l -Phenyl-2-(phenylthio)hexane-3-one.

l -phenylhex- l -yn-3-ol ( 184 μL, 1 mmol), benzenethiol ( 154 μL, 1.5 mmol) and the catalyst NaAuCl4-2H ₂ 0 (8 mg, 2 mol%) in 1 ,2-dichloroethane solvent (2.5 mL) were treated as described for 4-Phenyl-3-(phenylthio)butane-2-one to obtain the product as a yellowish oil (256 mg, 0.90 mmol, 90% yield). IR (Neat): v = 2962, 1706, 1439, 690 cm ¹ . ⁱ H NMR (300 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): δ = 0.80 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 3 H, H-6), 1.43-1.54 (m, 2 H, H-5), 2.29-2.40 (m, 1 H, H-4), 2.47-2.58 (m, 1 H, H-4), 2.98 (dd, J = 6.3, 14. 1 Hz, 1 H, H- l), 3.19 (dd, J = 8.7, 14. 1 Hz, 1 H, H- l), 3.88 (dd, J = 6.6, 8.7 Hz, 1 H, H-2), 7.16-7.37 (m, 10 H, H-arom) ppm. NMR (100 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): 6= 13.5, 17.2, 37.0, 42.8, 58.0, 126.6, 128.0, 128.4, 129.0, 129.1, 133.0, 133.1, 138.3, 206.0 ppm. HRMS: calcd. for Ci ₈ H ₂₀ OSNa 307.1133; found 307.1115. Example 3. Preparation of 4-Methyl-l-phenyl-2-(phenylthio)pentane-3-one.

4-methyl-l-phenylpent-l-yn-3-ol (128 μΐ _^ , 1 mmol), benzenethiol (154 μΐ _^ , 1.5 mmol) and the catalyst NaAuCl ₄ -2H20 (8 mg, 2 mol%) in 1,2-dichloroethane solvent (2.5 mL) were treated as described for 4-Phenyl-3-(phenylthio)butane-2-one to obtain the product as a yellowish oil (245 mg, 0.86 mmol, 86% yield). IR (Neat): v = 2969, 1707, 1439, 699 cm ¹ . Ή NMR (300 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): δ = 0.76 (d, J= 6.9 Hz, 3 H, H-5), 1.04 (d, J= 6.7 Hz, 3 H, CH ₃ ), 2.70-2.79 (m, 1 H, H-4), 3.00 (dd, J= 5.7 Hz, 13.8 Hz, 1 H, H-l), 3.22 (dd, J= 9.6 Hz, 13.8 Hz, 1 H, H-l), 3.9722 (dd, J= 5.7 Hz, 9.6 Hz, 1 H, H-2), 7.42-7.38 (m, 2 H, H-arom), 7.14-7.35 (m, 8 H, H-arom) ppm. ⁱ³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): 6= 17.8, 18.3, 37.3, 39.3, 56.5, 126.5, 128.3, 129.0, 129.2, 132.8, 133.6, 138.5, 208.7 ppm. HRMS: calcd. for Ci ₈ H ₂₀ OSNa 307.1133; found 307.1115.

Example 4. Preparation of 3-(Phenylthio)hexane-2-one.

hex-3-yn-2-ol (324 μΐ _^ , 3 mmol), benzenethiol (103 μΐ _^ , 1 mmol) and the catalyst NaAuCl ₄ "2H20 (8 mg, 2 mol%) in 1,2-dichloroethane solvent (2.5 mL) were treated as described for 4-Phenyl-3-(phenylthio)butane-2-one to obtain the product as a yellowish oil (105 mg, 0.50 mmol, 50% yield). Ή NMR (300 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): δ = 0.96 (t, J= 7.2 Hz, 3 H, H-6), 1.38-1.60 (m, 2 H, H-5), 1.64-1.86 (m, 2 H, H-4), 2.26 (s, 3 H, H-l), 3.65 (t, J= 7.5 Hz, 1 H, H-3), 7.24-7.44 (m, 5 H, H-arom) ppm. NMR (75 MHz, CDCI3): δ = 14.0, 20.8, 26.6, 32.7, 57.8, 128.1, 129.3, 132.4, 133.4, 205.8 ppm.

Example 5. Preparation of 3-Phenyl-2-(phenylthio)propanal.

3-phenylprop-2-yn-l-ol (125 μΐ _^ , 1 mmol), benzenethiol (154 μΐ _^ , 1.5 mmol) and the catalyst NaAuCl ₄ -2H20 (8 mg, 2 mol%) in 1,2-dichloroethane solvent (2.5 mL) were treated as described for 4-Phenyl-3-(phenylthio)butane-2-one to obtain the product as a reddish brown oil (216 mg, 0.89 mmol, 89% yield). Ή NMR (300 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): δ = 3.00 (dd, J= 6.9 Hz, 14.4 Hz, 1 H, H-3), 3.22 (dd, J= 8.1 Hz, 14.4 Hz, 1 H, H-3), 3.81-3.87 (m, 1 H, H-2), 7.23-7.41 (m, 10 H, H-arom), 9.50 (d, J= 3.6 Hz, 1 H, H-l) ppm. ⁱ³ C NMR (75 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): δ = 34.4, 58.1 , 127.1, 128.6, 128.8, 129.3, 129.3, 131.6, 133.4, 137.3, 194.2 ppm.

Example 7. Preparation of 3-(Naphthalene-4-yl)-2-(phenylthio)propanal.

3-phenylprop-2-yn- l-ol (182 mg, 1 mmol), benzenethiol (154 μΐ _^ , 1.5 mmol) and the catalyst NaAuCl4-2H ₂ 0 (8 mg, 2 mol%) in 1 ,2-dichloroethane solvent (2.5 mL) were treated as described for 4-Phenyl-3-(phenylthio)butane-2-one to obtain the product as a reddish brown oil (257 mg, 0.88 mmol, 88% yield). IR (Neat): v = 3056, 1716, 1439, 776 cm ¹ . Ή NMR (300 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): δ = 3.47 (dd, J = 6.0 Hz, 14.7 Hz, 1 H, H-3), 3.66 (dd, J = 8.1 Hz, 14.7 Hz, 1 H, H-3), 3.98-4.04 (m, 1 H, H-2), 7.29-7.33 (m, 3 H, H-arom), 7.38-7.46 (m, 4 H, H-arom), 7.50-7.60 (m, 2 H, H-arom), 7.80 (dd, J = 2.4 Hz, 7.2 Hz, 1 H, H-arom), 7.89-7.92 (m, 1 H, H-arom), 7.99 (dd, J = 1.2 Hz, 7.8 Hz, 1 H, H-arom), 9.54 (d, J = 3.6 Hz, 1 H, H- l) ppm. NMR (75 MHz, CDCI3): 6 = 31.7, 57.3, 123.3, 125.6, 125.7, 126.1, 126.7, 127.9, 128.2, 128.7, 129.4, 131.7, 131.9, 133.4, 133.7, 134.3, 194.3 ppm. HRMS: calcd. for Ci ₉ Hi ₆ OSNa 315.0820; found 315.0813.

Example 8. Preparation of 2-(4-Bromophenylthio)-3-phenylpropanal.

3-phenylprop-2-yn- l-ol (125 μΐ _^ , 1 mmol), 4-bromobenzenethiol (284 mg, 1.5 mmol) and the catalyst NaAuCl4-2H ₂ 0 (8 mg, 2 mol%) in 1 ,2-dichloroethane solvent (2.5 mL) were treated as described for 4-Phenyl-3-(phenylthio)butane-2-one to obtain the product as a yellowish oil (276 mg, 0.86 mmol, 86% yield). IR (Neat): v = 3421, 1716, 1471, 1007, 697 cm-i. Ή NMR (300 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): δ = 2.99 (dd, J = 6.9 Hz, 14.4 Hz, 1 H, H-3), 3.21 (dd, J = 8.1 Hz, 14.4 Hz, 1 H, H-3), 3.79-3.85 (m, 1 H, H- 2), 7.21-7.38 (m, 7 H, H-arom), 7.42-7.45 (m, 2 H, H-arom), 9.48 (d, J = 3.6 Hz, 1 H, H-l) ppm. i3C NMR (100 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): 6 = 34.3, 57.9, 122.8, 127.0, 128.6, 129.0, 132.3, 134.5, 136.9, 137.7, 193.6 ppm. HRMS: calcd. for Ci ₅ Hi ₃ BrOSNa 342.9768; found 342.9746. Example 9. Preparation of 2-(4-Chlorophenylthio)-3-phenylpropanal.

3-phenylprop-2-yn- l-ol (125 μΐ _^ , 1 mmol), 4-chlorobenzenethiol (218 mg, 1.5 mmol) and the catalyst NaAuCl4-2H ₂ 0 (8 mg, 2 mol%) in 1 ,2-dichloroethane solvent (2.5 mL) were treated as described for 4-Phenyl-3-(phenylthio)butane-2-one to obtain the product as a yellowish oil (255 mg, 0.92 mmol, 92% yield). IR (Neat): v = 3415, 2923, 1717, 1474, 1092, 715 cm ¹ . Ή NMR (400 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): 6 = 2.98 (dd, J = 6.8 Hz, 14.4 Hz, 1 H, H-3), 3.21 (dd, J = 8.0 Hz, 14.4 Hz, 1 H, H-3), 3.77-3.82 (m, 1 H, H-2), 7.22-7.35 (m, 9 H, H-arom), 9.49 (d, J = 3.2 Hz, 1 H, H- l) ppm. NMR (100 MHz, CDCI3): 6 = 34.3, 58.1, 127.0, 128.6, 129.0, 129.3, 130.1, 134.5, 134.7, 136.9, 193.6 ppm. HRMS: calcd. for Ci ₅ Hi ₃ C10SNa 299.0273; found 299.0272.

Example 10. Preparation of 2-(4-Fluorophenylthio)-3-phenylpropanal.

3-phenylprop-2-yn- l-ol (125 μΐ _^ , 1 mmol), 4-fluorobenzenethiol (160 μΐ _^ , 1.5 mmol) and the catalyst NaAuCl4-2H ₂ 0 (8 mg, 2 mol%) in 1 ,2-dichloroethane solvent (2.5 mL) were treated as described for 4-Phenyl-3-(phenylthio)butane-2-one to obtain the product as a yellowish oil (125 mg, 0.48 mmol, 48% yield) at 90 °C for 48 h. IR (Neat): v = 3065, 1704, 1588, 1487, 1223, 826, 697 cm- H NMR (400 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): δ = 2.98 (dd, J = 6.8 Hz, 14.4 Hz, 1 H, H-3), 3.20 (dd, J = 8.0 Hz, 14.8 Hz, 1 H, H-3), 3.74-3.78 (m, 1 H, H-2), 6.99-7.04 (m, 2 H, H-arom), 7.22-7.40 (m, 7 H, H-arom), 9.51 (d, J = 3.6 Hz, 1 H, H- l) ppm. NMR (100 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): δ = 34.5, 58.8,

116.5, 116.7, 127.2, 128.9, 129.3, 136.4, 136.5, 137.4, 164.6, 193.9 ppm. HRMS: calcd. for Ci ₅ Hi ₃ FOSNa 283.0569; found 283.0582.

Example 1 1. Preparation of 2-(4-Isopropylphenylthio)-3-phenylpropanal.

3-phenylprop-2-yn- l-ol (125 μΐ _^ , 1 mmol), 4-isopropylbenzenethiol (233 μΐ _^ , 1.5 mmol) and the catalyst NaAuCl4-2H ₂ 0 (8 mg, 2 mol%) in 1 ,2-dichloroethane solvent (2.5 mL) were treated as described for 4-Phenyl-3-(phenylthio)butane-2-one to obtain the product as a yellowish oil (125 mg, 0.48 mmol, 48% yield) (216 mg, 0.76 mmol, 76% yield). IR (Neat): v = 2960, 1719, 825 cm ¹ . Ή NMR (400 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): δ = 1.27 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 6 H, H-methyl), 2.88-2.95 (m, 1 H, CH(CH ₃ ) ₂ ), 3.01 (dd, J =

6.8 Hz, 14.8 Hz, 1 H, H-3), 3.23 (dd, J = 7.6 Hz, 14.4 Hz, 1 H, H-3), 3.78-3.82 (m, 1 H, H-2), 7.19 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2 H, H-arom), 7.25-7.29 (at, 3 H, H-arom), 7.32-7.35 (at, 4 H, H-arom), 9.53 (d, J = 3.6 Hz, 1 H, H-l) ppm. NMR (100 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): δ = 24.0, 34.0, 34.6, 58.6, 127.1 , 127.6, 128.4, 128.8, 129.4, 134.0, 137.7, 149.8, 194.3 ppm. HRMS: calcd. for Ci ₈ H ₂₀ OSNa 307.1133; found 307.1 164.

Example 12. Preparation of 2-(4-methoxyphenylthio)-3-phenylpropanal.

3-phenylprop-2-yn- l-ol (125 μΐ _^ , 1 mmol), 4-methoxybenzenethiol (184 μΐ _^ , 1.5 mmol) and the catalyst NaAuCl4-2H ₂ 0 (8 mg, 2 mol%) in 1 ,2-dichloroethane solvent (2.5 mL) were treated as described for 4-Phenyl-3-(phenylthio)butane-2-one to obtain the product as reddish yellow oil ( 1 17 mg, 0.43 mmol, 43% yield). IR (Neat): v = 2836, 1717, 1590, 1490, 1248, 824, 698 cm ¹ . Ή NMR (400 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): δ = 2.96 (dd, J = 6.8 Hz, 14.4 Hz, 1 H, H-3), 3. 16 (dd, J = 8 Hz, 14.4 Hz, 1 H, H-3), 3.68-3.79 (m, 1 H, H-2), 3.82 (s, 3 H, H-methoxy), 6.85-6.88 (m, 2 H, H-arom), 7.25-7.28 (m, 2 H, H-arom), 7.32-7.35 (m, 3 H, H-arom), 7.36-7.44 (m, 2 H, H- arom), 9.51 (d, J = 3.2 Hz, 1 H, H- l) ppm. NMR ( 100 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): δ = 33.9, 55.3, 58.7, 1 14.6, 1 14.7, 126.8, 128.6, 129.0, 132.6, 136.7, 193.7 ppm. HRMS: calcd. for Ci ₆ Hi ₆ 0 ₂ SNa 295.0769; found 295.0770.

Example 13. Preparation of 4-Phenyl-3-(phenylthio)butane-2-one.

At first, the catalyst NaAuCl4-2H ₂ 0 (8 mg, 2 mol%) was weighed and transferred to a 5 mL microwave vial containing a small magnet in a glove box under nitrogen atmosphere. After that, the cap of the vial was closed tightly and the vial was taken out from the glove-box. 2.5 mL of dry 1 ,2-dichloroethane solvent followed by 4- phenyl-3-butyn-2-ol ( 145 μL, 1 mmol) and benzenethiol ( 154 μL, 1.5 mmol) were added to the vial by syringe and was stirred using a magnetic stirrer at 65 °C for 24 h. After completion of the reaction (by TLC), 1 ,2 dichloroethane was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by silica-gel (100-200 mess) column chromatography using 3% (v/ v) ethyl acetate / pentane solution to afford the desired product as a pale yellow oil (233 mg, 0.91 mmol, 91% yield). Ή NMR (300 MHz, CDCI3): δ = 2.20 (s, 3 H, H- l), 3.00 (dd, J = 6.9 Hz, 14.4 Hz, 1 H, H-4), 2.68 (dd, J = 8.4 Hz, 14. 1 Hz, 1 H, H-4), 3.90 (dd, J = 6.9 Hz, 8.4 Hz, 1 H, H-3), 7.18-7.37 (m, 10 H, H-arom) ppm. NMR (75 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): 6 = 28. 1 , 36.9, 59.0, 127. 1 , 128.5, 128.8, 129.4, 133.0, 133.3, 138.3, 204.5 ppm.

Example 14. Preparation of 6-phenyl-3-(phenylthio)hexan-2-one.

At first, the catalyst Cul (4 mg, 2 mol%) was weighed and transferred to a 5 mL microwave vial containing a small magnet under nitrogen atmosphere. After that, the cap of the vial was closed tightly. 2.0 mL of dry 1 ,2-dichloroethane (DCE) solvent followed by 6-phenylhex-3-yn-2-ol ( 174 mg dissolved in 0.5 mL DCE, 1 mmol) and benzenethiol (205 μL, 2 mmol) were added to the vial by syringe and was stirred using a magnetic stirrer at 90 °C for 24 h. After completion of the reaction (by TLC), 1 ,2 dichloroethane was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by silica-gel ( 100-200 mess) column chromatography using 3% (v/ v) ethyl acetate / pentane solution to afford the desired product as a pale yellow oil ( 187 mg, 0.66 mmol, 66% yield). Ή NMR (300 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): δ = 1.73-1.89 (m, 4 H, H-4 & H-5), 2.24 (s, 3 H, H- l), 2.67 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 2 H, H-6), 3.64 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1 H, H-3 ), 7.17-7.37 (m, 10 H, H-aromatic) ppm. NMR ( 100 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): δ = 26.5, 28.9, 29.7, 35.4, 57.6, 125.9, 127.8, 128.3, 129.0, 132.4, 132.8, 141.5, 205.0 ppm.

Example 15. Preparation of 3-phenyl-2-(phenylthio)propanal.

At first, the catalyst Cul (4 mg, 2 mol%) was weighed and transferred to a 5 mL microwave vial containing a small magnet under nitrogen atmosphere. After that, the cap of the vial was closed tightly. 2.5 mL of distilled water followed by 3- phenylprop-2-yn- l -ol ( 125 μL, 1 mmol) and benzenethiol (205 μL, 2 mmol) were added to the vial by syringe and was stirred using a magnetic stirrer at 1 10 °C for 48 h. After completion of the reaction (by TLC), 1 ,2 dichloroethane was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by silica-gel ( 100-200 mess) column chromatography using 3% (v/ v) ethyl acetate / pentane solution to afford the desired product as a pale yellow oil (225 mg, 0.93 mmol, 93% yield). Ή NMR (300 MHz, CDCI3): 6 = 3.00 (dd, J = 6.9 Hz, 14.4 Hz, 1 H, H-3), 3.22 (dd, J = 8. 1 Hz, 14.4 Hz, 1 H, H-3), 3.81-3.87 (m, 1 H, H-2), 7.23-7.41 (m, 10 H, H-arom), 9.50 (d, J = 3.6 Hz, 1 H, H- l) ppm. NMR (75 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): δ = 34.4, 58. 1 , 127. 1 , 128.6, 128.8, 129.3, 129.3, 131.6, 133.4, 137.3, 194.2 ppm.

Example 16. Preparation of 3-(benzylthio)butan-2-one.

At first, the catalyst AuCl ( 12 mg, 5 mol%) and Pd(OAc) ₂ ( 1 1 mg, 5 mol%) was weighed and transferred to a 5 mL microwave vial containing a small magnet under nitrogen atmosphere. After that, the cap of the vial was closed tightly. 2.5 mL of dry nitromethane solvent followed by but-3-yn-2-ol (78 μL, 1 mmol) and phenylmethanethiol ( 153 μL, 1.3 mmol) were added to the vial by syringe and was stirred using a magnetic stirrer at 100 °C for 24 h. After completion of the reaction (by TLC), nitromethane was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by silica-gel ( 100-200 mess) column chromatography using 3% (v/ v) ethyl acetate / pentane solution to afford the desired product as a pale yellow oil ( 176 mg, 0.91 mmol, 91% yield). Ή NMR (300 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): δ = 1.38 (d, J = 8 Hz, 3 H, H-methyl), 2.24 (s, 3 H, H-1), 3.22-3.38 (m, 1 H, H-3), 3.60-3.78 (m, 2 H, H-4), 7.25-7.34 (m, 5 H, H-arom) ppm. NMR (75 MHz, CDC1 ₃ ): δ = 16.2, 35.3, 43.6, 48.6, 128.7, 128.7, 129.3, 129.6, 204.2 ppm.