Facile synthesis of 2,5‐diacylthiophenes

A base‐catalyzed condensation of diketo sulfides [(RCOCH2)2S] with glyoxal affording 2,5‐diacylthiophenes has been effected under mild conditions. Excellent results were readily obtained when R was various substituted phenyl, thienyl, or t‐butyl groups. Although the yield for R = methyl was poor, the increase in length of the aliphatic chain markedly increased the yields.