A facile synthesis of 1-alkylthio and acylthio-2,3-dihydro-1H-naphtho[2,1-b]thiopyrans and 4-alkylthio and acylthio-3,4-dihydro-2H-naphtho[1,2-b]thiopyrans

The reaction of 3-(2-naphthylthio)propionaldehyde ( 3 )and its (1-naphthylthio)isomer (7)with a variety of thiols and thio acids in the presence of sulfuric acid at room temperature afforded 1-alkylthio and acylthio-2,3-dihydro-1H-naphtho2,1-b]thiopyrans 5 and 4-alkylthio and acylthio-3,4-dihydro-2H-naphtho1,2-b]thiopyrans 9 in excellent yield.