Synthesis of diarylmethyl thioethers via a DABCO-catalyzed 1,6-conjugate addition reaction of p-quinone methides with organosulfur reagents

A rapid and simple method was developed for the synthesis of diarylmethyl thioethers via a DABCO-catalyzed 1,6-conjugate addition reaction of para-quinone methides (p-QMs) with organosulfur reagents. A series of diarylmethyl thioethers were synthesized at 13–85% yields by this method. After that, the antibacterial activities of synthesized diarylmethyl thioethers and their derivatives were evaluated. The MIC range (μg mL(−1)) against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and clinically isolated methicillin-resistant S. aureus was 8–128 and 64–128, respectively.