A straightforward preparation of a polystyrene thiol resin

A mild and efficient two-step synthesis of a polystyrene thiol resin is reported. Firstly, a polystyrene resin was reacted with an activated sulfoxide to afford the resin bound bis-(2-methoxy-carbonylethyl)-sulfonium trifluoromethanesulfonate. Smooth β-elimination based dealkylations afforded the polystyrene thiol resin with good and controlled loading. Its reactivity was assessed through a derivatisation step.