To a solution of 4-chlorophenylsulfonylacetonitrile (1.00 g, 4.6 mmol) in dry acetone (10 ml) first dry potassium carbonate (1.28 g, 9.3 mmol) and then 3,5-dimethoxyphenyl isothiocyanate (0.96 g, 4.9 mmol) were added. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature under nitrogen for 2 h 15 min and then filtered. To the filtrate methyl iodide (0.86 ml, 13.9 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated. The residue was dissolved in DCM, washed with water, dried (Na2SO4) and concentrated. The residue was crystallised from ethyl acetate/heptane 1:2 to give 1.27 g (65%) of the title compound. Mp 119.5-123° C.; 1H NMR (200 MHz, CDCl3): δ=2.29 (s, 3H), 3.80 (s, 6H), 3.36 (m, 3H), 7.53 (d, 2H), 7.87 (d, 2H), 9.82 (br s, 1H); EI SP/MS: 424 (M+).
