Thiophilic addition of organolithiums to trithiocarbonate oxides (sulfines). Synthesis of β-oxoketene dithioacetals, 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds, and allyl sulfoxides

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(96)01071-X

Reaction of trithiocarbonates with meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid in CH₂Cl₂ at 0°C affords the corresponding S-oxides. These sulfines are relatively stable comppounds which can be purified by chromatography. They react readily with organolithiums in THF at -78°C in a thiophilic manner to give carbanions which are stabilized by three sulfur groups. Hydrolysis affords trithioorthoester oxides. The thermal behaviour of these hindered products has been investigated and new rearrangenrent processes have been evidenced. The former carbanions are soft nucleophiles: 1,4-addition of these intermediates to α-enones was achieved selectively to lead to β-oxo ketenedithioacetals, which are easily transformed into 4-oxoalkanethioates. This 'Umpolung' route allows the formal use of the (alkylthio)carbonyl anion. A thiophilic addition was also observed with allylsilanes in the presence of n-Bu₄NF furnishing allyl sulfoxides.