We present herein results on the PhSeBr-catalyzed addition of thiols to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds under mild conditions to afford regioselectivily β-mercapto ketones or thioacetals in high yields and selectivity. The reaction was highly controlled by the temperature in which, the 1,4-addition products were obtained when the temperature was -20 ºC, conversely when the reaction was carried out at reflux, the thioacetals were obtained as a sole product. The developed protocol stands a wide range of functional groups, in which alkyl, benzyl and aryl with neutral, electron deficient and electron rich substituents on the aromatic ring.
thioacetals; β-mercapto ketones; chalcogenides
