Synthesis of Diaryl Heptanoid Based Ketene Dithioacetals as Novel Antileishmanial Agents

Diaryl heptanoid based ketene dithioacetals have been synthesized in good yield by the condensation of aromatic aldehyde or substituted aromatic aldehyde and acetone ketene dithioacetals in the presence of methanolic potassium hydroxide, 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran, PPTS as a catalyst under room temperature conditions. It is the first suceesful report of utility of potassium hydroxide as a base for the preparation of series of ketene. α-oxo ketene dithioacetals have been extensively used as the anti-leishmanial agent. The remarkable advantages offered by this method are excellent catalyst, mild reaction conditions, simple procedure and good yield of product.