Catalyst free, three-component approach for unsymmetrical triarylmethanes (TRAMs)

Thioacetalation and Multi-Component Thiomethylative Friedel-Crafts Arylation Using BF3SMe2

Herein, a method for thioacetalation using BF₃SMe₂ is presented. The method allows for convenient and odor-free transformation of aldehydes to methyl-dithioacetals, a simple but sparsely reported structural moiety, in good yields with a diverse set of aromatic aldehydes. In addition, a thiomethylative Friedel-Crafts reaction was discovered, affording thiomethylated diarylmethanes in good to excellent yields. The resulting diarylmethane core is of interest as it is found in many biologically active compounds, and its utility is further demonstrated as a novel precursor to unsymmetrical triarylmethanes. This work also highlights the usefulness and the synthetic capabilities of the readily available reagent BF₃SMe₂ beyond its reactivity profile as a dealkylation reagent.

Recent Advancement in the One-Pot Synthesis of the Tri-Substituted Methanes (TRSMs) and Their Biological Applications

The history of tri-substituted methanes (TRSMs) in chemical industries is much older. Tri-substituted methanes were previously used as dyes in the chemical industries. Still, there is a significant surge in researchers' interest in them due to their wide range of bioactivities. Tri-substituted methane derivatives show a wide range of biological activities like anti-tumor, antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic activities. Due to the wide range of medicinal applications shown by tri-substituted methanes, most of the methodologies reported in the literature for the synthesis of TRSMs are focused on the one-pot method. This review explored the recently reported one-pot processes for synthesizing tri-substituted methanes and their various medicinal applications. Based on the substitution attached to the -CH carbon, this review categorizes them into two major classes: (I) symmetrical and (II) unsymmetrical trisubstituted methanes. In addition, this review gives an insight into the growing opportunities for the construction of trisubstituted scaffolds via one-pot methodologies. To the best of our knowledge, no one has yet reported a review on the one-pot synthesis of TRSMs. Therefore, here we present a brief literature review of the synthesis of both symmetrical and unsymmetrical TRSMs covering various one-pot methodologies along with their medicinal applications.