Ammonium persulfate activated DMSO as a one-carbon synthon for the synthesis of methylenebisamides and other applicationsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5ra21801b

• Main Authors: Mahajan, Pankaj S, Tanpure, Subhash D, More, Namita A, Gajbhiye, Jayant M, Mhaske, Santosh B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 25.11.2015
• ISSN: 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/c5ra21801b

Activation of DMSO to work as an economical and environmentally benign one-carbon synthon has been achieved by using a bench-top reagent ammonium persulfate for general and efficient access to symmetrical methylenebisamides from primary amides. This methodology was used to achieve a three-component Mannich reaction using acetophenone, saccharin and DMSO to furnish a β-amino ketone. It also provided a metal-free synthesis of thiadiazole and bis(phenyl)methane. Effectively, this method uses DMSO as a safer surrogate to formaldehyde. A mechanism for methylenebisamide formation involving radical intermediates has been proposed based on mechanistic studies. Activation of DMSO to work as an economical and environmentally benign one-carbon synthon has been achieved by using a bench-top reagent ammonium persulfate for general and efficient access to symmetrical methylenebisamides from primary amides.