6-Methoxybenzo(b)thiophene

Description

6-Methoxybenzo(b)thiophene is a derivative of benzo[b]thiophene. The benzo[b]thiophene scaffold holds a pivotal place as a pharmacophore for the development of anticancer agents. In addition, this scaffold has many pharmacological activities[1].

Synthesis

A solution of the crude 1- (2, 2-diethoxyethylsulfanyl)-3-methoxybenzene (8.27 g, 32.3 mmol) in hexane (100 ml) was added dropwise to a solution of methanesulfonic acid (1.05 mL, 1.55 g, 16.1 mmol) in hexane (1000 mL) containing 16.5 g of celite (2 wt. eq.). The resultant solution was heated at reflux for 1 hour. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction was quenched by the addition of Et3N (4.5 ml, 3.26 g, 32.3 mmol. The crude reaction mixture was filtered and then concentrated in vacuo. 6-Methoxybenzo(b)thiophene was obtained after purification.

References

[1] Romagnoli R, et al. Concise synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-Aryl-3-Anilinobenzo[b]thiophene derivatives as potent apoptosis-inducing agents. Bioorganic Chemistry, 2021.