One-Step Protocol for the Synthesis of Cyanoacrylates Promoted by Elemental Sulfur from p -Quinone Methides and Cyanoacetates under Basic Conditions.

Cyanoacrylates have a wide range of biological activities and are extensively applied in production and daily life. Classic synthetic routes to cyanoacrylates have many limitations. Herein, we demonstrate an elemental sulfur-promoted method for the synthesis of β,β-diaryl cyanoacrylates by a tandem 1,6-Michael addition/oxidation/elimination process from p -QMs and cyanoacetates under optimal conditions. The effective protocol has good substrate scopes and yields, and the ratio of inseparable E/Z isomers of cyanoacrylates is also determined by 1 HNMR.