A new method of synthesis of aromatic dithioesters: Participation of carbon disulphide in Friedel-Crafts reaction

Aralkyl ethers such as anisole reacted with γ-butyrolactone in carbon disulphide under Friedel-Crafts conditions affording the known methyl 4-methoxy-dithiobenzoate (I), in 28% yield and also the hitherto unknown ω-methoxycarbonylpropyl 4-methoxydithiobenzoate (II) in 54% yield after methylation and esterification of the initial reaction product, while benzene and toluene under similar conditions gave only the normal Friedel-Crafts products.