Methyl mercapturate synthesis: an efficient, convenient and simple method

Molecules. 2008 Oct 1;13(10):2394-407. doi: 10.3390/molecules13102394.

Abstract

A safe and simple method for methyl S-arylmercapturate synthesis is described. Thirteen such compounds, to be used afterwards in metabolism studies, have been obtained with yields ranging from 71 to 99.6%. These compounds were obtained using a sulfa-Michael addition and synthesized by adding the corresponding thiophenols to a mixture composed of methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate (MAA), potassium carbonate and a phase transfer catalyst, Aliquat 336. MAA, the initial synthon, was itself isolated in quasi quantitative yield following a fully described synthesis.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcysteine / analogs & derivatives
  • Acetylcysteine / chemical synthesis*
  • Acrylates
  • Carbonates
  • Metabolism
  • Phenols / chemistry
  • Potassium
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / chemistry

Substances

  • Acrylates
  • Carbonates
  • Phenols
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds
  • N-acetyldehydroalanine methyl ester
  • thiophenol
  • potassium carbonate
  • Potassium
  • Acetylcysteine