Superelectrophilic Activation of Crotonic/Methacrylic Acids: Direct Access to Thiochroman-4-ones from Benzenethiols by Microwave-Assisted One-Pot Alkylation/Cyclic Acylation

An efficient microwave-assisted protocol for the synthesis of 2-/3-methylthiochroman-4-ones by superacid-catalyzed alkylation followed by cyclic acylation (cyclization via intramolecular acylation) is described. Using easily accessible benzenethiols and crotonic acid/methacrylic acid with triflic acid (as catalyst of choice for needed optimal acidity), the reaction was tuned toward the formation of the cyclized products in good selectivity and yield. A mechanism involving the formation of carbenium–carboxonium superelectrophilic species is suggested.