Direct synthesis of sulfinic esters via ultrasound accelerated tandem reaction of thiols and alcohols with N-bromosuccinimide

The direct transformation of various thiols and simple alcohols with N-bromosuccinimide into sulfinic esters has been investigated by using different categories of base/acidic catalysts as well as co-solvents under varied reaction conditions. The reaction was found out to afford the sulfinic esters with high yields in the absence of catalysts, especially within the shorter time under the acceleration of ultrasonic irradiation than under the longer-lasting conventional stirring conditions.