Regioselective synthesis of important chlorophenols in the presence of methylthioalkanes with remote SMe, OMe or OH substituents

Various methylthio alcohols, methoxy(methylthio)alkanes and bis(methylthio)alkanes have been used as regioselectivity modifiers in the chlorination reactions of various phenols at room temperature. The process involves the use of a slight excess of sulfuryl chloride in the presence of aluminum or ferric chloride as an activator. Methylthio alcohols, methoxy(methylthio)alkanes and bis(methylthio)alkanes having 2 and 3 methylene groups as a spacer were found to be good for the para-selective chlorination of o-cresol and phenol. On the other hand, methylthio alcohols, methoxy(methylthio)alkanes and bis(methylthio)alkanes having 6 and 9 methylene groups were found to be good for the selective para-chlorination of m-xylenol and m-cresol. Calculations using density functional theory on bis(methylthio)alkanes have suggested two different types of stable chlorinated intermediates depending on the number of methylene units as a spacer