title: A new strategy for the synthesis of β-benzylmercaptoethylamine derivatives.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Subrata
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: Gregory P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Tochtrop