Sallylation

Sallylation is not a standard term in chemistry. In most references, the processes this word attempts to describe are called S-allylation or allylation. The spelling “Sallylation” may arise from a typographical error, a mispronunciation, or informal usage, and it is not widely recognized as a distinct named reaction.

If interpreted as S-allylation, the term refers to the introduction of an allyl group onto sulfur atoms to form S-allyl thioethers. Typical substrates are thiols (R-SH) or thiolates (R-S−), and the allyl electrophile is usually an allyl halide (such as allyl bromide) or an allyl sulfonate (such as allyl tosylate). Under basic conditions, the sulfur nucleophile displaces the leaving group in an SN2-type process to give an S-allyl sulfide (R-S-CH2-CH=CH2). Common conditions employ a mild to strong base (for example, NaH, K2CO3) in polar aprotic solvents like DMF or acetone; phase-transfer catalysts can also be used to facilitate the reaction. S-allylation is a straightforward method for installing sulfur–allyl bonds in the synthesis of thioethers and related compounds.

More generally, allylation denotes the introduction of an allyl group into a molecule, including C-, N-, and O-allylation, often via palladium-catalyzed Tsuji–Trost-type reactions or other transition-metal–mediated pathways. The term allylation is widely used in organic synthesis, and S-allylation is one of its sulfur-targeted variants. When encountering “Sallylation,” check the context to determine whether S-allylation or a broader form of allylation is meant.