A one-pot general alternative to prepare dithioacetals, with excellent yiel
ds, via the condensation of 1,3-propanedithiol, benzyl, and n-butyl mercapt
hanes with several carbonylic compounds using a bentonitic earth as the cat
alyst is proposed. Also, the acidic role of the clay in the reaction is dis
cussed. The product structures were established by H-1 and C-13 NMR, as wel
l as by the corresponding EIMS and HRMS data.