Acid-catalyzed synthesis of functionalized arylthio cyclopropane carbaldehydes and ketones.

A general strategy for the synthesis of arylthio cyclopropyl carbaldehydes and ketones via a Brønsted acid catalyzed arylthiol addition/ring contraction reaction sequence has been exploited. The procedure led to a wide panel of cyclopropyl carbaldehydes in generally high yields and with broad substrate scope. Mechanistic aspects and synthetic applications of this procedure were investigated.