Transition metal-free and solvent-free calcium carbide promotes the formation of β-keto sulfoxide from acyl chloride and DMSO

Inexpensive and readily available calcium carbide (CaC2) has been developed as a promoter for the transition metal-free, solvent-free and one-pot conversion of acid chlorides and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to the corresponding β-keto sulfoxide. Four drug molecules were successfully converted to their β-keto sulfoxides using this method, emphasising its potential utility in medicinal chemistry.