Synthesis of 2‐Mercaptobenzaldehyde, 2‐Mercaptocyclohex‐1‐enecarboxaldehydes and 3‐Mercaptoacrylaldehydes

A novel one‐pot approach for the preparation of 2‐mercaptobenzaldehyde, 2‐mercaptocyclohex‐1‐enecarboxaldehydes and 3‐mercaptoacrylaldehydes (Z)‐3‐mercapto‐2‐methyl‐3‐phenylacrylaldehyde, 3‐mercapto‐3‐(o‐tolyl)acrylaldehyde)] starting from ortho‐bromobenzaldehyde, 2‐chlorocyclohex‐1‐enecarbaldehydes, (Z)‐3‐chloro‐2‐methyl‐3‐phenylacrylaldehyde and 3‐chloro‐3‐(o‐tolyl)acrylaldehyde is reported. The reaction of sulfur with the Grignard reagent of the acetal for the protection of the aldehyde group affords the title compounds through hydrolysis with dilute hydrochloric acid in high yields.