Boric acid catalyzed thia-Michael reactions in water or alcohols

Boric acid acts as an efficient catalyst for the conjugate addition of aliphatic thiols, dithiols and aromatic thiols to α,β-unsaturated nitriles, esters, ketones and aldehydes with very good yields in water at room temperature. The reactions are faster in MeOH or EtOH. The use of boric acid, being a safe chemical, as the catalyst and water as the reaction medium are important attributes in the present protocol.

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