A novel four-component tandem protocol for the stereoselective synthesis of highly functionalised thiazoles

The reaction of bis(aroylmethyl) sulfides with aromatic aldehydes and ammonium acetate in 1:2:1 molar ratio under solvent-free microwave irradiation afforded predominantly a series of thiazoles, viz., 1-aryl-2-[5(Z)-5-arylmethylidene-2,4-diaryl-2,5-dihydrothiazol-2-yl]ethanones stereoselectively. This reaction presumably occurs via a Knoevenagel condensation–Michael addition–cyclocondensation–ring opening–ring closing Michael addition sequence. The intermediacy of (Z,Z)-2,2′-thiobis(1,3-diarylprop-2-en-1-ones) in the above transformation is demonstrated by their conversion to the thiazoles upon reaction with ammonium acetate under solvent-free microwave irradiation.