Selenium dioxide reaction of substituted diphenacyl sulfides: Generation of α-ketoacids
The attempted selenium dioxide oxidation of substituted diphenacyl sulfides in anticipation of further functionalization led to a series of α -ketoacids 3 via oxidation followed by CS bond cleavage. Two minor products, 5 and 6, have also been isolated and a mechanistic pathway for the formation of 3, 5 and 6 has been proposed.