Synthesis of diarylmethyl thioethers via a DABCO-catalyzed 1,6-conjugate addition reaction of p -quinone methides with organosulfur reagents.

A rapid and simple method was developed for the synthesis of diarylmethyl thioethers via a DABCO-catalyzed 1,6-conjugate addition reaction of para -quinone methides ( p -QMs) with organosulfur reagents. A series of diarylmethyl thioethers were synthesized at 13-85% yields by this method. After that, the antibacterial activities of synthesized diarylmethyl thioethers and their derivatives were evaluated. The MIC range (μg mL -1 ) against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and clinically isolated methicillin-resistant S. aureus was 8-128 and 64-128, respectively.