Selective sulfurization of olefins by 9,10-epidithio-9,10-dihydroanthracene: Intermediacy of diatomic sulfur

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)87816-9

The reaction of 9,10-dihydro-9,10-(1,3-epidithio-2-methano-2-p-methoxyphenyl-1-oxide) propanoanthracene (3) with perchloric acid in the presence of 1,3-butadienes and electron-rich olefins gave 1,2-dithiins and episulfides, respectively. The reaction is explained in terms of an intermediate anthracene endodisulfide with transfer of singlet diatomic sulfur to the dienes and olefins.