Solvent-free and room temperature synthesis of thiochromans in the presence of a catalytic amount of iodine

Iodine catalyzed cyclocondensation of α, β-unsaturated aldehydes with arenethiols afford the corresponding 2-substituted-4-(arylthio)thiochromans in good yield under solvent-free and room temperature conditions. The present protocol offers advantages over the conventional methods reported using mineral acids in terms of reaction time, easy work up and mild conditions.