2-mercapto-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethanone

Facile displacement of the bromide in 2-bromo-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethanone with potassium thioacetate delivered the corresponding thioacyl analog, which was easily hydrolyzed to the free thiol. Obtained in two steps: First, reaction of potassium thioacetate with 2-bromo-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethanone in THF at 40° for 24 h (99%), then treatment of the thioacyl derivative so obtained with 1 M sodium hydroxide in methanol at r.t. for 1 h (84%).