1-(2,5-Dichlorophenyl)-2,2-bis(methylsulfayl)vinylEsters as Highly Efficient Chemoselective Acylating Reagents

1-(2,5-Dichlorophenyl)-2,2-bis(methylsulfanyl)vinyl esters 4f–k were prepared in yields usually greater than 90%, by reacting acyl chlorides with 1-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-2,2- bis(methylsulfanyl)ethanone enolate. These esters were demonstrated to be excellent chemoselective reagents for the acylation of amines, alcohols, thiols, pyrrole and indole. From all the acylation reactions the dimethyl a-oxo dithioacetal 2d, recyclable for the preparation of esters 4f–k, could be recovered in 90–100% yield.