One-pot three-component synthesis of 3-hydroxy-5,5-dimethyl-2-[phenyl(phenylthio)methyl]cyclohex-2-enone derivatives under ultrasound

3-Hydroxy-5,5-dimethyl-2-[phenyl(phenylthio)methyl]cyclohex-2-enone is synthesized via one-pot three-component reactions of aromatic aldehyde, substituted thiophenol and 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione catalyzed by p-dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) under ultrasound. Under ultrasound irradiation the yields are much higher (sometimes substantially, by almost double) and the reaction time decreases substantially, the reaction conditions are milder. This method provides several advantages such as environment friendliness, high yields and simple work-up procedure and the protocol provides a novel alternative for the synthesis of thioether.