Short and Efficient Synthesis of Thiol Group Functionalized Crown Ethers

Abstract

A synthesis of thiol group functionalized crown ethers is reported. The reaction is accomplished by the direct chlorosulfonation of simple crown ethers with chlorosulfonic acid and the reduction of the sulfonyl chloride moiety with LiAlH₄ in two steps. This new process is simple to operate, and it generates high‐purity mercaptobenzocrowns with excellent yields.

Keywords:

• chlorosulfonation
• reduction
• thiol functionalized crown ethers

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the financial support from Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.