The direct α-sulfanylation reaction of cyclohexanone catalyzed by organocatalyst proline hydrazide was studied. The activities and yields of the reaction were researched through three different sulfanylating reagents, nine kinds of solvents as well as six catalysts of proline hydrazides, etc. The results showed that the activities and yields were effected by the sulfanylating reagents, solvents and the structure of the catalysts. Under the optimal reaction condition, namely using N-(phenylthio)succinimide as sulfanylating reagent and toluene as solvent, proline hydrazides 1 and 4 had higher catalytic activities to the reaction of the α-sulfanylation reaction. The yields of products were up to 98% after 12 h at room temperature. The reaction conditions catalyzed by proline hydrazide were mild and the operation was simple, which had some applica-tion to synthesis of drug.

Key words: proline hydrazide, organocatalyst, direct α-sulfanylation reaction