The Dual Reactivity of 5-S/5-O-Phenyl-1,4,2-oxathiazoles: A Fragmentation Pathway That Affords Nitriles in the Presence of Water

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/ejoc.201500637

The rearrangement of substituted 1,4,2-oxathiazoles to nitriles in the presence of water is described. Preliminary investigations suggest that the reaction pathway proceeds via a 1,4,2-oxathiazolium intermediate, followed by trapping with water and subsequent decomposition to products. An unprecedented rearrangement of 5-phenyl-1,4,2-oxathiazoles bearing a C5 leaving group to nitriles in the presence of water is described.