Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

Preparation of Enantiopure Non-Activated Aziridines and Synthesis of Biemamide B, D, and epiallo-Isomuscarine
Published on: June 13, 2022
A new strategy for the synthesis of β-benzylmercaptoethylamine derivatives
Subrata Ghosh1, Gregory P Tochtrop
1Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, USA.
Abstract:
Here we describe a new experimental approach to the synthesis of the β-benzylmercaptoethylamine functionality and illustrate its synthetic utility in multi-component reactions. Although prevalent in modern organic synthesis, no general methods have been described for this functionality. Using a carefully developed LiOH-water-ethanol reaction mixture we were able to produce a diverse collection of β-benzylmercaptoethylamines containing a range of sensitive functional groups in excellent yields. To further illustrate their utility in molecular library synthesis, we also report the use of β-benzylmercaptoethylamines in five different multi-component reactions.
Related Concept Videos
Alkylation of β-Diester Enolates: Malonic Ester Synthesis
Synthesis of α-Substituted Carbonyl Compounds: The Stork Enamine Reaction
Preparation of 1° Amines: Gabriel Synthesis
Strong bases like NaOH or KOH deprotonate the phthalimide to form the corresponding anion, which acts as a nucleophile. Further, the anion attacks an...
Alkylation of β-Ketoester Enolates: Acetoacetic Ester Synthesis
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Nitration of Benzene
Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution: Elimination–Addition
