The reactivity of ketones and thio alcohols refers to how easily they undergo a chemical reaction with each other. This reaction is known as a thio-Michael addition and results in the formation of a new carbon-sulfur bond.
The reactivity of ketones and thio alcohols can be influenced by several factors, such as the electronic and steric properties of the ketone and thio alcohol, the solvent used, and the reaction conditions (e.g. temperature, presence of catalysts).
The presence of a double bond in the ketone can increase its reactivity with thio alcohols. This is because the double bond can act as an electron acceptor, making the ketone more electrophilic and thus more prone to nucleophilic attack by the thio alcohol.
Yes, ketones and thio alcohols can react with each other in the absence of a catalyst. However, the reaction may be slower and less efficient compared to when a catalyst is present. Catalysts can help to lower the activation energy required for the reaction to occur, making it faster and more favorable.
The thio-Michael addition reaction between ketones and thio alcohols has many applications in organic synthesis. It can be used to form new carbon-sulfur bonds, which are important functional groups in many biologically active molecules. This reaction can also be used to create chiral centers and to synthesize complex molecules with high regio- and stereoselectivity.